Two ex mayors and a former city councillor ‒ whose private correspondence is now public ‒ have joined the chorus of critics piling on the Wellington City Council for allowing confidential paperwork to be left in a dumped office desk.

The Government's controversial voting law will result in a 411% increase in the number of votes being thrown out, according to the Electoral Commission. www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

"If one place is getting many more operations and the other place is getting almost none, you have to ration out the size of the pot of gold you’ve got.”

Whoops...

What happens when art meets the ocean? Wellington's Debbie Fish took a giant sea sponge ‒ made from recycled shade cloth ‒ all the way to Chile for an international art biennial.

Feelgood story of the day...

More than two million visitors a year are forecast to visit the new Te Matapihi central library after it opens in March. But what will become our local faves?

“People were quite happy to come and spend a few dollars for a day of playing games ... but it wasn't enough build up and sustain.”

Cyanide contaminating an iconic river, or rivers of gold for Central Otago? A controversial gold mine is highlighting fears about irreversible decisions.

Harriet Laughton investigates how capping rates rises has fared in Australia.

Fifi Colston has submitted designs to WOW for the past three decades and has won multiple prizes.

The disputed argument after The Post's mayoral debate happened in front of multiple witnesses.

Economists estimate the new expressways saved travellers 3.8m driving hours in 2024 and put 74,000 more of the population within 60 minutes' drive of Porirua.

“Assuming the tenant has complied with signage regulations and has not damaged or altered the property, a landlord’s demand to remove election signage may raise legal concerns.”

“While I do not accept that change is impossible from the inside, I have come to learn that it comes with a price, of violence and hate towards my people. This is a price I am no longer willing to pay.”

Only 8.5% work three or more days at home, down from 9.9% from a survey in January. A third work one or two days at home, up from 32.8%.

Watch as things get a bit testy during The Post mayoral debate.

Who is ready to lead Wellington? Follow the debate - moderated by Andrea Vance - at www.thepost.co.nz and keep an eye out for post-debate coverage and analysis.

Paula Muollo distanced herself from the “absolutely appalling” comments, saying Independent Together candidates have been “flying solo” from Better Wellington for several weeks.

George MacKay also demanded to be put through to the call centre manager because he was a “f...ing taxpayer”, a “Hutt city council member” and ”you guys work for us”.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori started as a single “Māori Language Day” in 1972 and became a full week celebration in 1975. Check out The Post masthead in print - Te Upoko o te Ika.

"Fortunately someone else saw what happened, because I thought I might have tripped. But she said, no, you were hit by the door and pushed out.”

“Councils are facing a financial sustainability problem. The need to find efficiencies and savings is pressing. Despite our commitment to investing in infrastructure, the deficit remains substantial and rates are a blunt tool.“

"Dying is a time for shedding baggage. To go lightly wherever you’re going. But when you drop that load at the end, it falls on those already stooped with the weight of watching death gnaw at you, diminish you."

This revitalisation will foster a deeper connection between Wellingtonians and the land and history of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, making our city’s heart truly reflective of its people and its past, writes mayor Tory Whanau.

Who's excited...?

The permits cover parts of the Long Gully valley, a rugged landscape of steep ridges, forested slopes and streams. The area sits between Zealandia, and Long Gully and Kinnoull Stations.

“This decision will preserve a treasured part of Wellington and its rich history for future generations.”

Articulate is a new video series hosted by chief arts correspondent André Chumko, going beyond the stage and studio to ask provocative questions of Aotearoa’s creative voices. Watch the first episode 👇👇

The debate starts at 5.30pm. Watch live at www.thepost.co.nz

Organisers have cited rising costs and shifting conditions affecting the festival industry.

"The system – and the outdated boundaries – haven’t changed since my time as mayor, which is over a quarter of a century ago."

Sweet relief for lovers of hot chocolate.

Affected teams include Connected Communities, Creative Capital, Parks, Sports and Recreation, Smart Council, Libraries, Archives and community spaces.

Candidates are legally obliged to reveal the identity of such donors, but not until 55 days after the declaration of results. The Post asked candidates to move this forward so voters know who the big money is behind their campaigns.

Councillor Nicola Young: "It’s a sad day for Wellington when council officers decide to barricade one of the city’s most loved icons, just to keep the public at bay."

Kiwis - about 1.5 million of whom are overweight - have been targeted on social media like Reddit and Facebook, and ads have even played at the cinema.

Andrea Vance: Once a quirky and bohemian city, the coolest little capital now feels frayed and unsafe. The streets tell the story of the local economy.

“It's a reminder that recessions happen at the margin, that the majority of businesses will survive, but it's exceptionally difficult. There's concentrated pain amongst a few.”

The Post welcomes back @henrycooke.bsky.social, direct from the UK, as deputy political editor on Monday. #nzpol

Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Eyal Aharoni both believe the current $30m cost to demolish the bridge is "exorbitant".

Councillor Teri O’Neill: “If your biggest problem with Wellington is that queer people feel safer here, then maybe the problem isn’t the city ‒ it’s your worldview.”

From the editor: It’s been a tough time for media, and every subscription dollar is hard-earned. That’s why we’re especially grateful you chose to grow with us.

Fears had been raised of the council moving to demolish on Friday, but it guaranteed any actual work would still be at least three weeks off.

“The impact on accessibility and the elderly could have been weighted more heavily in our original decisions.”

“He will be a great candidate – I still think I’m the best,” the outgoing mayor and challenger has said in response.

Wellington City Council could become the first in NZ to implement a strategy focused specifically on its Rainbow community.

While it is a confidence boost for Andrew Little and the team of Labour candidates running for ward seats, recent history shows the race is far from a done deal.

Christine Butler-Gordon was once active and fiercely independent ‒ now she must use a wheelchair, after sustaining life-altering injuries during a hospital visit. For her the lack of ongoing care has been “even more distressing”.