The Latest Breaking News from Christchurch

By dint of a high list placement or being catapaulted into a safe seat, new faces will head to Wellington after October 14’s election. They're the sure things. In the latest part of this occasional series, David Williams talks to Laura Trask, number 10 on the Act Party list.

A hometown boy returns for a true-blue love-in

Phil Mauger isn’t ruling out the outright sale of council-held companies, report David Williams and Jonathan Milne

The Opportunities Party's political fortunes rest on winning a Christchurch electorate seat, writes David Williams

The three 'i's of inflation, interest and now insurance hikes of up to 56% are tipping local authorities into an unprecedented cashflow crisis. Some are leaving halls, pools and libraries uninsured – or looking to sell them off. Jonathan Milne reports.

Lyttelton’s port closed for a staff party – but the company won’t reveal the cost, reports David Williams

The Government created 10 water corporations to give local communities more control, but new changes to the Three Waters reform package ensure they will share the same employment contracts, the same IT systems, and more. Jonathan Milne reports from the Local Government NZ conference in Christchurch.

Christopher Luxon’s drive for party votes hits an Act-shaped judder bar

Two new novels explore a city battered by earthquakes and hanging on among "the motley motels and paint-peeled homes"