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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Porirua Council Needs Twice The Indoor Courts To Hit National Standard
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 6:04 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The report did not take into account indoor courts not owned by the council, such as school gymnasiums or Cricket Wellington’s Mana Indoor Cricket Centre. More >>
Too Much Environmental Reporting Claims Councillor
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has introduced legislation to amend the Environmental Reporting Act to address what it describes as New Zealand's "outdated environmental reporting regime". More >>
Councillor Challenges Secrecy As Rotorua Narrows Wastewater Options
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:49 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua narrows wastewater options but key details on cost and sites remain under wraps. More >>
‘I Cried. I Was In Awe’: The Day Ruapehu Erupted, Told By Those Who Saw It
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:33 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
For Wilson, of Ngāti Rangi – an uri (descendant) of Te Whare Toka o Paerangi (Paerangi’s House of Stone) – the experience was shaped by a lifelong relationship with the mountain. More >>
Canterbury Getting 'Raw Deal' On Transport - ECan Chair
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:28 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury chairperson Dr Swiggs said he wants more emphasis on the maintenance of the roading network and public transport in Government policy announcements. More >>
Wairoa Mayor Hits Out At Govt’s Tight Reform Timeframe
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:16 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The reforms come after RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced in early May that councils had three months to submit amalgamation proposals, or the Government would do it for them. More >>
Drought-Busting Waikato Water Plan To Flow On Despite Amalgamation Jitters
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 5:03 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
High-risk, priority catchments such as the Waikato and Piako rivers which attract low rainfall but high demand were targeted, as they have already reached triggers for action. More >>
Green Pastures Or Blue Waters? Thames-Coromandel Shortlists Three Options For Amalgamation
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 4:58 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The council does not officially have a preferred option at this stage, with community feedback on the options closing on the 15th of July. More >>
Rotorua Mayor: 'Threats Of Violence Are Unacceptable'
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 4:35 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Local Democracy Reporting the threat was “surprising and sad” that people were left to feel unsafe in the workplace and schools today. More >>
South Wairarapa's Rates To Rise 5.4%
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 10:12 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
South Wairarapa Mayor Fran Wilde said the council had committed to maintaining essential services & investing in critical infrastructure, while keeping rates within the 6.5% increase forecast when the current Long- Term Plan was developed last year. More >>
Christchurch Mayor Sidesteps Councillor's ‘Big Pants’ Jibe
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 10:02 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils have just seven weeks remaining on a Government deadline to put forward a plan for larger unitary councils. More >>
Crowds Bid Goodbye To Porirua Councillor Mike Duncan
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 9:56 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Porirua mayor Anita Baker said Duncan never treated being councillor as a retirement job, even sending the draft for a proposal for starting a new local newspaper several weeks ago. More >>
Police On Patrol In Wairarapa To Curb Speed Limit Backlash
Tuesday, 23 June 2026, 9:45 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Police and Wairarapa council representatives say with vandalism rife and speed limits being flouted, the disregard for the law is putting other road users at risk. More >>
Council Asks Twizel Residents For Up To $25k For Water Data
Monday, 22 June 2026, 4:15 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
A group of Lyford Lane residents filed a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, seeking information about the waste and drinking water systems for the development, and the town’s water supply. More >>
Kaikōura Councillors Consider Options Over "Losing Control" Fears
Monday, 22 June 2026, 3:53 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura realistically has two options - forming a North Canterbury council with Waimakariri and Hurunui or merging with Marlborough, says Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty. More >>
Featherston's Critical Pipeline Work Comes In Under Budget
Monday, 22 June 2026, 3:49 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The new Tauwharenīkau pipeline is now in service and the old pipe has been removed from the river. More >>
Twenty Tonnes Of Construction Waste Illegally Dumped In Wairarapa
Monday, 22 June 2026, 3:35 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Ten tonnes of asphalt and 10 tonnes of construction spoil was recently found dumped at the Hinekura Rd and Longbush Rd intersection. More >>
New Funding Aims To Help Tauranga's Rough Sleepers
Monday, 22 June 2026, 3:19 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
A $14.5 million package over the next year will extend rough-sleeper support initiatives underway in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, and expand it to six other areas. More >>
Kaikōura Council Looks To 10-Year Plan As Its Future Hangs In The Balance
Monday, 22 June 2026, 3:01 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Work is under way on Kaikōura's Long Term Plan, even though the council's future is uncertain. More >>
Flaxmere Supermarket Owners Confirm July Closure: ‘We Tried Our Best’
Monday, 22 June 2026, 2:57 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
In a social media post on Friday, Flaxmere Supermarket’s owners said after careful consideration, they had decided to close at the end of the first week of July. More >>
