Simon Watts News
Latest articles and news about Simon Watts on AXL Media.
Latest Articles
- Climate Change Commission Sounds Alarm: New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme At Risk of Collapse
Published: Apr 27, 2026
Section: Environment
In its annual report to the government, the Climate Change Commission has warned that New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is on a trajectory toward failure. Without signif...
- Government Warns of Mammoth Financial Challenge to Fix New Zealand's Aging Water Pipes
Published: Apr 24, 2026
Section: Politics
Local Government Minister Simon Watts has signaled a decade of intensive fiscal pressure as the "Local Water Done Well" reform takes aim at a massive infrastructure deficit. Descri...
- Minister Intervenes After Kaipara Council Rejects Northland Governance Overhaul
Published: Apr 23, 2026
Section: Politics
Local Government Minister Simon Watts has directed officials to investigate the Kaipara District Council's (KDC) intentions after the local body baulked at joining a regional progr...
- Financial Uncertainty Looms Over New Zealand’s National Climate Adaptation Strategy
Published: Apr 20, 2026
Section: AXL News
New Zealand’s climate resilience efforts face a significant hurdle as the government confirms it will not finalize cost-sharing arrangements for climate adaptation until the next e...
- Far North Mayor Moko Tepania Defends Māori Liaison Committee Amid National Controversy
Published: Apr 15, 2026
Section: Politics
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania has come out strongly in defense of the Te Kuaka Māori Strategic Relationships Committee, stating that his council is being "unfairly targeted" in a co...
- Commerce Commission Intervenes in Wellington Water Crisis Over "Horrendous" Bill Projections
Published: Apr 11, 2026
Section: Business & Economy
Wellington’s newly formed water entity, Tiaki Wai, is under intense scrutiny from the Commerce Commission after releasing projected residential water bills that could skyrocket to...
- Alliance Proposes Solar Alternative to LNG
Published: Apr 10, 2026
Section: Politics
The newly formed Smart Energy Alliance—a coalition including the Sustainable Energy Association, Green Building Council, Master Electricians, and Consumer NZ—is calling on the gove...
- "Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves": Government Proposes 4% Rates Cap Amid Mounting Infrastructure Pressure
Published: Apr 7, 2026
Section: Politics
The New Zealand Government has announced a proposal to cap council rate increases at 4% by 2029, a move designed to force local authorities to focus on "essential" infrastructure r...