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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
'Walls In Schools' Not A Quick Fix, Says Education Ministry
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Eight North Canterbury schools will get the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Education to redesign their open-plan classrooms, but installing the walls will take some time. More >>
Plan Change 'Future Proofs' Kaikōura's Growth
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A plan change for Kaikōura's Ocean Ridge sub-division means there is room to grow for decades to come. More >>
New Whitianga Pontoon Breaks Ground As $12.5m Esplanade Project Sinks
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:49 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Questioned for specific details for the Esplanade project cancellation, mayor Peter Revell said a more streamlined approach was needed to solely focus on health and safety concerns. More >>
Porirua Council Plans To Abandon Draft Policy To Buy Out, Upgrade Flood-Prone Homes
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:46 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The council’s policy, planning and regulatory services general manager Nic Etheridge said the latest flood mapping showed 2100 properties in the city that were potentially vulnerable to flooding. More >>
Regional Council Discusses Reducing Stake In Bluff Port Despite Record Profit
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:26 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has been looking to reduce its stake in the Bluff port since at least 2024 when it consulted with the community on dropping ownership to 51 percent. More >>
More Than 650 Properties Under Investigation In Mackenzie
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 4:20 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The council launched a compliance programme to tackle the issue, and confirmed it had appointed an officer to investigate short-term accommodation listings in the district in July. More >>
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:09 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
While the Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable Trust is grateful for every dollar during the tough times funding agencies face nationally, its chief executive says $400,000 is simply not enough to restore the track to previous heights. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:04 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Blade Masters, on Market St, relied on walk-in clients and that could be 70 or 80 people per week, Newton-Broadbent said. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura District Council is weighing up the cost of participating in forming a Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan, while it awaits a decision on its proposal to merge with Marlborough. More >>
Tararua Braces For An ‘Intense’ El Niño Season
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:32 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Conditions were already dry and early messaging from Tararua District Council’s group operations manager included : “If you’ve got a pool to fill, do it now while it’s still raining.” More >>
Twizel Landlord Drops 'Airbnb Dream' For Worker Housing
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:29 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The district has come under scrutiny this year for its lack of affordable long-term housing, with Mackenzie District Council reporting struggles to recruit staff in March because of the shortage. More >>
Planes Could Spook Horses If New Racecourse Built, Aero Club Warns
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:13 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
In December 2025, Racing Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced $20 million in Government funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support the racecourse’s development. More >>
Ashburton Committee Makes Sales Pitch For 'Cherished Community Asset' Going To Market
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 8:31 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Ashburton Centennial Sports Hall was gifted to the Ashburton District Council in March by the Ashburton Centennial Sports Hall Society, which had owned and operated the community hub since 1954. More >>
Hastings Council Keeps Councillor Complaint Details Secret
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 7:51 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has refused to release information to Local Democracy Reporting about the nature of several complaints against councillors since they took office a year ago. More >>
Twizel Landlord Drops 'Airbnb Dream' For Worker Housing
Monday, 7 September 2026, 6:08 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The district has come under scrutiny this year for its lack of affordable long-term housing, with Mackenzie District Council reporting struggles to recruit staff in March because of the shortage. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has proposed legislation that would require councils to implement a rates cap of between 2% and 4% in next year’s Long Term Plan, which will take effect from 2029. More >>
Planes Could Spook Horses If New Racecourse Built, Aero Club Warns
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:37 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The Bridge Pa aerodrome has operated since 1932 and hosts about 40,000 aircraft movements annually, as well as 54 hangar buildings housing about 100 aircraft. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Two weeks after construction work started, Newton-Broadbent decided to close the shop while she considered the impact. More >>
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:28 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The trail reopened during Easter weekend after sustaining severe damage during Cyclone Gabrielle and the January storms, leaving many parts of the track at a walk-only safety level to this day. More >>
Taupō Mayor John Funnell Says Rates Capping Will Not Be Without ‘Trade-Offs’
Monday, 7 September 2026, 2:33 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government Minister Simon Watts issued an edict saying that from 2029, councils could not raise rates beyond an average of 4% a year. More >>
