Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
A City Built For Cars? Invercargill’s Public Transport Problem
Friday, 10 July 2026, 4:30 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Community engagement was put forward as an option for understanding what would get people on buses, but councillors did not hold back in their assessment of the situation. More >>
‘We're Going To Be Here Forever’: Māori Councillors On Local Government Reform
Friday, 10 July 2026, 3:24 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government's fast-tracked local government revamp has sent councils scrambling, with rates, debt and the risk to local voice dominating public debate. More >>
'Devastating' Flood Event The Latest Setback For Kaikōura
Friday, 10 July 2026, 3:19 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
This week's flood event is just the latest setback for the Kaikōura community. More >>
Kaikōura, Hurunui Open For Matariki Weekend
Friday, 10 July 2026, 3:16 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikoura and Hurunui are open for Matariki Weekend. More >>
Marlborough Pushes Ahead With Kaikōura Merger Proposal As Flooding Stalls Talks
Friday, 10 July 2026, 3:13 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura council had planned to decide who they wanted to create an amalgamation proposal with on Wednesday, but had postponed their decision until July 15. More >>
Mana Whenua Voices To Inform Flood Resilience In South Wairarapa
Friday, 10 July 2026, 2:59 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
July 09, 2026 As South Wairarapa reels from a string of devastating floods, mana whenua representatives are coming together to discuss their role in how the region rebuilds. South Wairarapa District Council's Māori Partnerships Committee, ... More >>
Lower Hutt Mayor’s Amalgamation Plan: A Unitary Authority And Six Community Councils
Friday, 10 July 2026, 10:12 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The plan’s design, which Lower Hutt mayor Fauono Ken Laban said responded to Lower Hutt residents’ concerns on amalgamation raised at a forum last week, would block a single city from dominating the regional budget and policy direction. More >>
Iwi Cry Foul As Reform Options Set Out By Taranaki Councils
Friday, 10 July 2026, 10:05 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Papers for a joint council workshop stressed that under the Local Government Act any future arrangement must include Māori in decision-making. More >>
Former WCRC Chair Slams New Flood Report
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 7:44 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coast councillor Allan Birchfield, the former chairman, says the report overlooks that West Coast infrastructure were historically built on flood plains and flooding was nothing new. More >>
Northland Leaders Back Path To Single Super Council
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 7:36 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
FNDC Mayor Moko Tepania said more than half of respondents to a recent FNDC survey wanted the district to remain standalone. More >>
Taupō District Rates To Rise By An Average Of 6.6%
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 6:16 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
A strong credit rating means lower interest rates will be offered to potential lenders. S&P Global has given Taupō District Council an AA rating, which reflects high quality and low credit risk. More >>
CBD Vigour - Who Pays For That?: Business Buy-in Key To Ashburton CBD Revival
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 6:11 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton businesses and property owners will soon be asked whether they are prepared to lead—and help fund—the next phase of revitalising the town centre. A feasibility report by a retail strategy expert on unlocking the CBD's potential ... More >>
Ashburton Farmers Market Has No Plans To Move
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:53 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Farmers Market chairperson Brad Raukawa questioned what benefit such a move would have for either the market or the CBD. More >>
Canterbury Merger Plans Remain Uncertain
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:49 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton received no clear amalgamation direction from its community, and its neighbours Selwyn and Timaru are still looking at their preferred options. More >>
Community Meeting Called To Save Ashburton Sports Hall
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:46 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council considered an options report behind closed doors in May and decided to put it on the open market. More >>
Tararua Mayor Now ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Council Reforms
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:39 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Gilmore said there were ongoing concerns around “communities being dictated to” through the three-month deadline set under Head Start. More >>
'A Gift We Can Leave Each Other': New Book To Help Navigate Conversations Around Dying
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:35 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
He Aroha Te Aroha, by Whanganui writer Julie Herewini, is designed to encourage families to have important conversations about end-of-life wishes before they are needed. More >>
Jobs Programme Future Uncertain - Kaikōura Mayor
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:07 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle is waiting for more details, after the Ministry of Social Development confirmed funding has been secured for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme for 12 months, but provided no details on much Kaikōura will receive. More >>
North Canterbury's 'Vital' Community-Owned Rural Health Centre Expanding
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:04 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's community owned Waikari Health Centre is expanding to offer more services and more opportunities for medical students. More >>
Eastern Bay Councils Choose To ‘Be At The Table’ In Amalgamation Talks
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:59 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Ōpōtiki district councillor Barry Howe was the most candid in his objections, describing the options put before council as “blackmail”. More >>
