Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]

'Old Tyres On A New Car': Waterways Asphalt Battle Lost

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:28 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

The committee voted unanimously to chip seal the road. Councillor Gavin Dennis, who moved the option, said he could "appreciate a lot of people would like to have asphalt". More >>

Ngāti Awa Kāinga Māori Up For Prestigious Award

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:15 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Tūkōkeke Kāinga Māori was opened in March last year with 15 new homes, arranged in a supportive village environment next to the social and health services' offices. More >>

'Highway Robbery': South Island Leaders Demand Fairer Transport Funding

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:05 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

South Island local government leaders have been lobbying Government for a fair share of transport funding. More >>

Tauranga Council Hears Calls For Mandatory Cat Microchipping, Desexing

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:00 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter

Predator Free NZ Trust spokesman David Lewis said the trust backed mandatory microchipping & desexing, limiting how many cats a person could own, restrictions on feeding stray cat colonies & council advocacy for national cat-management legislation. More >>

Improved Water Meter Data Helps Masterton Plug Leaks

Friday, 14 August 2026, 8:55 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

“It has given residents a better understanding of how water meters work and how they can use the information to monitor their own consumption," says Council’s infrastructure group manager, Tyler Ross. More >>

Ohakune Residents Still Boiling Drinking Water As Town Enters ‘Recovery Mode’

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:10 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Civil defence controller Vini Dutra said three consecutive days of clear test results are required before the boil water notice can be lifted. More >>

Former Porirua Councillor Tracy Johnson Dies

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:06 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

“She gave a great deal to Porirua and to the people around her. Our city is now missing one of its shining stars,” said Mayor Anita Baker More >>

Councillor Takes Aim At West Coast's Combined Plan

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter

Both Cummings and Birchfield have previously criticised the council for hiring consultants from the North Island to process consent applications, leading to longer waiting times. More >>

Paid Sunday Parking Could Undermine Hamilton CBD’s Two Hours Free, Say Business Owners

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 6:53 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

"They should be encouraging people to come to the CBD... when you look at how many empty shops there are around, it's not easy making a living in the CBD so they turn around & just make it harder," says vintage store Fossick’s co-owner John Needham. More >>

Mayors Slam ‘Pointless’, Costly Reviews That’ll Be Voided By Council Mergers

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:44 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

Matamata-Piako District Council Mayor Ash Tanner agreed with his counterpart Bech, questioning whether central Government “even have a grasp on what we actually do”. More >>

NRC Explores How AI Could Boost Council Services And Decision-Making

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:37 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter

The project involves working with an AI consultancy to map and assess current business processes, identify inefficiencies, and determine where artificial intelligence tools could add value. More >>

‘Game-Changer' Thermal Drones Uncover Threatened Whio In Tongariro River

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:32 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

The technology had the immediate advantage of making it safer and less time-consuming to monitor the taonga species in high-risk and often remote rivers and streams. More >>

Kaikōura's Three Seats 'Not Tenable Long-term' - Marlborough Councillor

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:27 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

Councillor John Hyndman said while he was happy for Kaikōura to have three councillors for now, it was “not tenable long-term”. “8% of the population can't have 17.5% of the voting power. I think we've got to sort this out before mid 2030,” he said. More >>

Local Democracy Reporting