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]
Voting Rights Changes To Reshape Whanganui Council Committees
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 7:13 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Independent members of council committees, including chairs of key oversight committees, will lose their voting rights from mid-March next year. More >>
National Accuses Labour Of ‘Railroading’ Kāpiti Debates
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 7:09 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The suggested questions ranged from asking Costley how he would “get us faster access to local health care”, to directing Labour candidate Sophie Handford to explain her positions on housing and rates capping. More >>
West Coast Council Lends Some Support For Rates Cap, Despite Record Of Sharp Hikes
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 7:06 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The West Coast council has flagged concerns that the cap does not account for "infrastructure cost inflation, interest rate volatility, depreciation, hazard exposure, and differences in access to non-State revenue". More >>
Hanmer Freedom Camping Spot To Be Restored
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 7:04 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hanmer Springs Community Board is counting the cost of flood repairs for the July flood. More >>
Asbestos Dumped At Abandoned Hawke’s Bay Camp Prompts Boulder Barrier
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 7:01 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The council spokesperson said it took four people four hours to clean up the asbestos, including removing a large amount of fibrous broken material. More >>
Paikea Kindergarten To Close As Low Enrolments And Costs Create Funding Gap
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:58 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Gisborne Kindergarten Association senior teacher Jeff Ruston wrote on behalf of the governing board, thanking whānau for the time, thought and effort they had put into exploring options for Paikea’s future. More >>
Jo Dow Wins Porirua Council By-Election
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:55 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Voting for a by-election closed at noon on Friday. By midday Thursday, Dow had received 2306 votes, comfortably ahead of Caroline Mareko who had 1598. More >>
Thames-Coromandel Councillors Look To Axe Amalgamation Proposal
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:50 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The current proposal with Matamata-Piako and Hauraki would still be a considered an option if the motion passed through council, as Rasmussen believes the two councils would also benefit from the change. More >>
Rotorua Emergency Housing Drops To One Motel As Crisis-Era Numbers Collapse
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:47 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Emergency housing in Rotorua has fallen from dozens of motels to just one. More >>
Crash Statistics Show Youth At High Risk In Mackenzie
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:43 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
With 10 deaths or serious injuries annually, the register identified the Mackenzie District as a high risk area across fatigue, young drivers, older drivers, and open road loss-of-control or head-on crashes. More >>
Tūrangi-Taupō Bus Service Gets Bigger Bus, But Schedule Still Excludes Commuters
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:33 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Waikato Regional Council chairman Warren Maher said in a statement that decisions about new or additional commuter bus services can’t be made based on a checklist of criteria. More >>
Canterbury Warned Another Flood Coming Within 10 Years As Kaikōura Recovery Continues
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:28 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury says there could be more weather events this summer, as it continues the clean up in Kaikōura after the July 7 flood. More >>
Awatoto’s Low Bridges Pose Ongoing Flood Risk, Councillor Warns
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:24 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
KiwiRail chief infrastructure officer Siva Sivapakkiam said they acknowledged climate adaptation and resilience were significant challenges for Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand. More >>
Ken Mair On Gang Hui Backlash: ‘You Cannot Heal Communities By Abandoning Them’
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:19 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
“There must be no tolerance for violence, intimidation, the exploitation of vulnerable people or the destruction caused by methamphetamine,” said Whanganui iwi leader Ken Mair. More >>
Waitaki Council Claims Third-Party Property Sites 3000% More Expensive
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:05 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Waitaki District Council chief executive Alex Parmley said he wanted people to know about the charges, so they did not spend money unnecessarily. More >>
Cyclone Gabrielle Debris: Gisborne Council Wins Award For AI Mapping Project
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1:02 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
“What makes me particularly proud is that this innovation was developed to solve a very real problem for our communities – helping us make better decisions,” said Mayor Rehette Stoltz. More >>
Forestry Leaders Say 1260% Rates Hike Puts Jobs At Risk
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 12:43 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
NZFOA chief operating officer Joseph Brolly said forest owners were being asked to shoulder an extraordinary financial burden. More >>
Gisborne Farmers And Wine Growers See Upside Of El Niño
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 12:38 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa president Charlie Reynolds said farmers were preparing for potential water shortages by planning stock sales and booking tanker deliveries in advance if storage was limited or they were reliant on rainfall. More >>
NZ’s Best Holiday Park? Family-Owned Coromandel Favourite Fills The Trophy Cabinet
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 12:32 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Along with the holiday park, Thames-Coromandel District Council Mayor Peter Revell praised all the finalists across the eight categories, saying the awards highlight the “passion, resilience and commitment” across the districts. More >>
The Maverick Mayor Who’s A Tattooist, Coffin Owner And Panelbeater
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 11:51 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
“I might not always make the right decision. I might say something that offends someone but I’m reflecting what the people are telling me... it’s as simple as that,” said Mayor Ash Tanner. More >>
