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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Picton Cruise Ship Bookings Up 23% After A Tough Few Years
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 9:24 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said that while cruise numbers remained below previous years, there were encouraging signs for the future of cruise in Marlborough. More >>
How New Deal Could Bring Century-Old Katikati Bypass Idea To Fruition
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 9:17 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The bypass is one of the major project commitments in the Western Bay of Plenty regional and city deal, a 10-year partnership agreement with a 30-year vision. More >>
Te Anau Airport Seeks Help For Takeoff
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:56 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The authority is hoping it can reduce the financial burden on ratepayers, create revenue streams to support the airport, and retain land and core infrastructure. More >>
Mackenzie Mayor Says Unsanctioned Meetings Were 'Informal Get-Togethers'
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:50 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The council responded on Monday, confirming at least two such meetings had been held since the start of the year and that they had not been formally documented. More >>
Clean Air Goal Will Take Decades
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:45 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) Environment and Climate Committee would meet on Thursday to discuss the report prepared by council staff. More >>
Iwi Deals Face Taranaki Council Limbo
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:38 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Councillor Bonita Bigham asked who’d pick up the reins for TRC after 2028, given the Government has ruled there would be no more regional councillors. More >>
South Waikato Councillor Censured; Investigation Costs Ratepayers $34k
Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 8:31 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The meeting was called to present the findings of the $33,925 independent investigation into Latinovic's behaviour, conducted by barrister Mary Hill. More >>
Kāpiti Council Signs Off On 'Difficult' Rent Hikes For Pensioners
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:11 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Halliday, McCann, and councillors Himiona Grace and Steven Botica voted in favour, but the remaining six councillors present opposed the move, defeating it. Councillor Heniti Buick was absent. More >>
Boy Racers Pour Diesel Over Central Hawke’s Bay Roads: ‘Someone Is Going To Be Seriously Hurt Or Killed’
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:05 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Greer said the community was worried about groups of boy racers convening in rural locations on Pōrangahau Rd, as well as around Takapau. More >>
Community Bid To Save Dannevirke Deer Park
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:01 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Trevor Moore said the community had the know-how to keep the space alive rather than moving the eight deer on and re-purposing the lower domain. More >>
Maverick Mayor Hits Out At Waikato 'Super City' Idea
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:56 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Local government minister Simon Watts said it was “important” to retain local voices through amalgamation. More >>
‘Reverse Uber’ Pitched For Waikato Commuters
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:51 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
After conducting her own research, including outlining the 25 million trips a year to and from the city in the 2023 census paired with the recent fuel crisis, she decided to take action. More >>
Civic Award For Long-Time Women’s Well-Being Volunteer
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:36 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Penny Molnar has become the second person to be bestowed with the Nelsonian Civic Award for her decades of service to the city. More >>
From Aviation To Viticulture: Marlborough Students Test-Drive Future Careers
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:25 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The event was supported by Rapid Relief Team, which provided community and emergency support from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, who served 1750 sausages and 550 burgers as well as tea and coffee to attendees. More >>
Bid To Review Kāpiti Coast Climate Emergency Declaration Fails
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:19 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
In May 2019, the council unanimously passed a motion made by then-mayor K Gurunathan to declare a climate emergency. More >>
Firearms And Smashed Glass: What Employees Faced At One Southern Council
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:15 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Notable situations were captured in a recent Environment Southland report which also showed the organisation had struggled to find a new health and safety manager. More >>
Southland's Nitrate Data Goes Online Amid Concerns
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:01 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
In May, Greenpeace raised concerns after undertaking testing in Lumsden, and asked all district councils to make their results public — a call which has been answered by Southland District Council. More >>
Labour Slams Council Reforms As 'Messy, Watered-Down'
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:57 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Last month, the Government gave councils three months to come up with amalgamation plans, in a bid to cut the complexity and costs of local government. More >>
‘Our Voice Should Not Count For Less’: Carterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:39 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Over the coming days, Carterton District Council will be releasing benchmarking data around potential rates costs under amalgamation and opening a public survey, before community information sessions begin on June 22. More >>
'All Options Remain On The Table': Masterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:20 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
A survey across Masterton asking people about their priorities for amalgamation had already attracted more than 370 responses. More >>
