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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Council Crossroads: Kaikōura Sets Deadline For Selecting Partner
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:34 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council will decide by July 8 which council(s) it plans to prepare a HeadStart proposal with. More >>
Rate Rises Across Southland Less Than Expected
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:30 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill City Council led the charge on Tuesday when it ushered in an average rise of 7.03% — higher than a March position but less than the 8.43% forecast in its long term plan. More >>
Regional Councillors Stick To Path Despite Mayors’ Plea
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:28 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga councillor Tim Maltby joined Shirley in voting against adopting the amendment, saying councillors couldn’t ignore all the territorial authorities in the Bay of Plenty. More >>
Kaikōura Settles On 6.3% Rate Rise
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:27 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council has adopted its annual plan, with an average rate rise of 6.3% - or 3.8% without water services. More >>
Drivers Keep Breaching Beach Ban On Marlborough’s East Coast
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:23 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council unanimously voted on Thursday to publicly consult on whether to review the East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw, and whether the review should cover the whole bylaw or target specific sections. More >>
Whakatāne Bus Station Getting Nearly $850,000 Restroom Upgrade
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:10 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The funding is being administered through Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which applied for the funding on the district council’s behalf. More >>
Tasman’s Rates Increase More Than Double Nelson’s
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:06 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Tasman will see a 9.9% increase, while Nelson agreed to a 4.7% increase. The commentary from the two councils' elected members was markedly different. More >>
Value For Money Top Priority For Council Merger, Masterton Survey Shows
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:54 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton District Council’s recent Future of Local Government Survey drew 559 submissions, of which 80.5% were in favour of a Wairarapa option - 11.5% preferred a wider Wellington model. More >>
Rates Rage: South Waikato Council Votes For Rise
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:49 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The rates vote comes after South Waikato District Council reported to its ratepayers a year-to-date net operating surplus of $189k, besting its budgeted deficit of $3.11m by more than $3 million. More >>
Wheel Of Time: Heritage Restored At Lincoln's Historic Mill Site
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:43 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council and the historical society have been hunting for anyone who may have old photos of Moffat’s Mill, as they do not have one in their collections. More >>
Pacific Chefs Celebrate Recognition But There's More 'Talent To Shine'
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:38 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Pacific food business owners say they welcome recognition through the Auckland Iconic Eats programme, but more South Auckland and Pacific food stories deserve a place on the city's culinary stage. More >>
Controversial Councillor Zed Latinovic Booted Off Committee
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:30 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
At Thursday’s council meeting, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said in addition to the imposed censorship, Latinovic’s membership on the Local Services Committee would be suspended effective immediately. More >>
Tauranga Mayor, Councillors To Visit China For Yantai Sister City Milestone
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:20 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, and Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor would join a wider delegation from Tauranga. More >>
Rotorua State Highway 30 Intersection Upgrade Stalls As NZTA, Council Clash Over Funding
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:04 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
NZTA and Rotorua Lakes Council disagree on which of them should pay for the SH30 upgrade. More >>
Government Chips In For First Ngāmotu Marae In Two Centuries
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:58 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Māori development minister Tama Potaka announced the funding in Waitara on Saturday at the annual Te Rā o Tā Māui Pōmare (Sir Māui Pōmare Day) at Ōwae marae. More >>
Whangārei Hapū Blast Council's Rejection Of Partnership Deal
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:38 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Whangārei District Council (WDC) councillors voted 10-4 to adopt an eleventh-hour recommendation confirming the council would not initiate a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWaR) agreement process. More >>
Tahr Out That’s Gross: Dead Animal Crammed In Public Rubbish Bin
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:08 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council infrastructure group manager Neil McCann said the incident was reported to the council as illegal dumping via the Snap Send Solve app on Monday. More >>
Primed For Progress: Masterton Town Hall Feasibility Study Underway
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:04 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A feasibility study was currently underway to determine if a town hall facility could be built within the total $25 million project budget that meets the agreed requirements. More >>
Southern Regional Council Testing Merger Options Despite Inability To Submit
Monday, 29 June 2026, 1:59 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Southland announced this week it had made a financial model which would test costs, savings and financial implications of different scenarios in the face of sweeping Government reform. More >>
Merger Dilemma: Council Staff Working On Reforms That Could Cost Them Their Jobs
Monday, 29 June 2026, 1:51 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach says the Government’s reform has “definitely created a degree of uncertainty for staff at all levels of the organisation”. More >>
