Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]

Government Alters Plans, Promising Certainty For Horizons Farmers

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 5:15 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter

To smooth the transition for PC2, farmers and growers will still be required to make ongoing environmental improvements, but the prescribed nitrogen reductions will no longer apply. More >>

Ohakune Water Outage Raises Questions Internal Review Can't Answer, Councillor Says

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 4:59 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

First-term councillor John Chapman said the scale and duration of the outage raised questions that could not be answered by an internal Ruapehu District Council review. More >>

Southland Council Accused Of Breaking Flood Work Promises

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 4:54 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

Tanea Hawkins returned to the Environment Southland chamber as a member of the public on Wednesday, 14 months after finishing up as its chief financial officer following more than seven years in the role. More >>

Government Still Holding 35 Empty Houses Of Stalled Development Near Wellington

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 4:50 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

While current market conditions are contributing to some delays, the Ministry remains optimistic about achieving positive outcomes for the community and all parties involved. More >>

Cost Blowout For New Waikato Football Turf Revealed To Be $500k

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:37 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

Despite the cost increase, a specialist football turf in the Waikato is well overdue, according to WaiBOP Football CEO Karyn Walters. More >>

Rangiora Qualifies For First VX Final After School Board Call

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:33 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Rangiora High School says qualifying for the Miles Toyota First XV Championship final shows it made the right decision to step back from the Premiership grade this season. More >>

Waimakariri Mayor Unconvinced By Ngāi Tahu's Council Boundary Plan

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:29 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon is interested in partnering with Ngāi Tahu on local government reform, but he is not so keen on the iwi's proposal for a large North Canterbury council including Christchurch and Selwyn. More >>

Kaikōura Flood Impact Matched Forecasts For Proposed Subdivision

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:26 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Kaikōura District Council will decide the fate of the a private plan change for the Ocean Ridge sub-division next week, after last month's flood event confirmed predictions in flood modelling. More >>

Rotorua's Back On Board: New Twist In Bay Council Reforms

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:22 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter

Head Start gave councils until August 9 to propose voluntary mergers, or have the Government design the future structure for them in compulsory reforms after the 2028 elections - the Back Stop option. More >>

Manawatū's Ambitions Take Shape Despite Uncertainty Ahead

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:10 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter

Councillor Rob Duindam felt positioning ‘lead Manawatū’ higher in the draft strategy list was “so important” due to ongoing changes in local government and uncertainty around councils very existence. More >>

Ōpōtiki Waterfront Jetty Takes Shape But Faces $100,000 Cost Blowout

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:05 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

The increased time and cost of piling work meant a $100,000 contingency fund allocated on top of the $450,000 budget would likely be required to finish the project. More >>

Mackenzie Ratepayers Fork Out $29k For Councillor Conduct Probe

Thursday, 20 August 2026, 10:26 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter

This week, in response to a July 23 request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, the council stated the investigation into Hocken cost $23,192.34, including $17,903.34 for the investigation and $5,289 in legal fees. More >>

Local Democracy Reporting