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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Funding Boost For Key Visitor Hub On Mountains To Sea Trail
Monday, 14 September 2026, 5:34 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Tourism Minister Louise Upston says the project will address the lack of visitor infrastructure at a key trail junction, providing public toilets, safe shuttle access, parking and other facilities. More >>
To Dam Or Not To Dam: Candidates Clash Over Marlborough’s Water Future
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:52 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
ACT candidate Tom Spooner said farmers already had ideas for solutions, and cutting red tape would allow farmers “to actually do things”. More >>
Invercargill Deputy Mayor Questions Decision To Remove Then Replant Trees In Flight Path
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:48 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody raised concerns during a committee meeting this week, saying the strategy was “a little bit nonsensical" and only addressed risk for 30 years. More >>
How Melting Snow Is Affecting Southland Floodwaters
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:45 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Melting snow was a large contributor to Southland flood flows, but the council’s models did not specifically account for it prior to the project, the council report said. More >>
Manawatū Set To Centralise Wastewater In Third Rural Township
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:37 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Manawatū Water is the district’s in-house water service provider and while it still functions under the district council, it is focused entirely on managing three waters networks across Manawatū. More >>
Shearing The Wealth: Masterton Council Makes Tough Calls On Grants
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:34 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton’s wool industry was given a boost with big grants awarded to the Shear History Trust and the Golden Shears International Shearing Championship Society. More >>
'Under Siege': Fury As Trees Cleared For Power Pylons
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:31 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The pylons will connect its 136 megawatt Tihori Solar Farm, being built on McLean Road, with Edgecumbe's Hydro Road substation via State Highway 2. More >>
Canterbury Councils Face Hefty Costs For Merger Plans
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:27 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri District Council topped the spending almost $129,000, followed by Selwyn at $116,000. Christchurch City, Ashburton and Timaru came in between $34,000 and $106,000. More >>
Locals Help Replant Kaikōura Native Forest
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:22 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Around 700 trees would be planted by the community by mid-September, staff said in an update to councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, September 9. More >>
Picton To Kaikōura Trail On Verge Of Major Milestone
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:19 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Marlborough Kaikōura Trail Trust is close to completing its Government contract on the Whale Trail, which was first mooted after the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. More >>
Event Clash Means Mayors May Miss Emergency Training
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:16 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson immediately questioned whether NEMA had deliberately double-booked local government officials across the country. More >>
‘Disappointment’ Over Removal Of Trees From Fairlie Park
Monday, 14 September 2026, 2:13 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
A council spokesperson said the trees had been cut down on August 25, after concerns over the health of them had been raised by the community, including about increasing aphid numbers. More >>
Goat Recipes On Show At Punakaiki 'Bush To Belly' Event
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:57 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
NZDA West Coast president Dave Mitchell said the event had continued to grow each year and already had helped control numbers. More >>
West Coast Farming Leader Blasts Pest Plan Over Animal Omissions
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:48 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
WCRC environmental science group manager Shanti Morgan says red deer will not be included in the pest plan at this stage. More >>
Visitor Levy Won't Support Domestic Tourism - Whakatāne Mayor
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:41 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Nandor Tanczos said he would be happy to see some of the International Visitor Tourism and Conservation Levy go to local councils, as was announced in a National party policy statement this week. More >>
Ruapehu Mayor Says Visitor Levy Won’t Fix Ruapehu Tourism Bill
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:35 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Weston Kirton says National’s plan to share international visitor levy revenue with councils is a step in the right direction. More >>
Marlborough's New Water Service Loses Board Member Before First Meeting
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:28 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council announced on Thursday that former Wellington City Council chief executive Kevin Lavery was no longer part of the board of the region's new water service entity. More >>
Ashburton Ratepayers Pay As Green-Bin Rollout Pushed Back Four Months
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:24 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach announced this week the new green bins will start being delivered to households from November and the service will begin on January 4. More >>
Residents Of Flood-Damaged Māngere To Help Allocate $300,000 Recovery Fund
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:20 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The Māngere Recovery Leadership Rōpū developed the plan and fund after hearing from residents, whānau, schools, faith groups and community organisations. More >>
Mackenzie Welcomes Plan To Share Visitor Levy With Councils
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:15 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Mackenzie District mayor Scott Aronsen welcomed the proposal, having long advocated for sustainable funding to address the district’s tourism pressures. More >>
