Hutt voters could ditch FFP
Lower Hutt voters will decide whether to ditch the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system at the next local body election.
Councillors resolved to hold a referendum between the status quo and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Hutt City Council electoral officer Bruce Hodgins said councils had the option to review their voting systems two years before an election. The council’s last electoral reform poll was in 2003, he said.
Holding the referendum at the same time as the elections would spread the cost of the exercise and reduce expenditure from $175,000 to $30,000.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.