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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Dog Owners Unlikely To Face Fee Rise
Monday, 29 April 2024, 5:09 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton District Council staff have proposed no rise in dog registration fees for the upcoming financial year. Urban entire dogs would continue to cost $110, urban neutered $85, and over 65 canine companion $75. Rural dogs would cost $75 per dog ... More >>
Families Opt For Kiwisaver Cashouts, Cut Back On Food As Living Costs Soar
Monday, 29 April 2024, 5:06 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Stats NZ data released today [Monday] showed household costs went up 6.2 per cent in the last year. Families are cutting back on essentials and withdrawing their KiwiSaver funds as they struggle with the rising cost of living, an Auckland budgeting service ... More >>
Digital Switch For Ashburton’s Youth Voice
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:08 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said the new digital engagement tool was launched in February. “An online ‘youth hub’ was established, a digital space for young people to discuss local issues with other ... More >>
Georgina Beyer Statue To Be Discussed By Carterton Council
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:05 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A memorial sculpture of the late Georgina Beyer will be discussed by Carterton councillors next week.Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995, making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor. She later became the world’s ... More >>
Airing Out Carterton’s Wastewater To Avoid Stench
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:03 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A breath of fresh air has arrived in Carterton, thanks to a new aerator at the council’s wastewater treatment plant. All three of the council’s aerators were out of action last month, causing an unpleasant stench. More >>
Long-term Plan: South Aucklanders Share What’s Important
Monday, 29 April 2024, 3:59 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Month-long public submissions on Auckland Council's LTP came to an end in March, where Aucklanders were asked to have their say on options and trade-offs of activities and services delivery for Auckland over the next decade. More than 22,000 individuals ... More >>
NZ Army Chief Promises To Lead Marlborough Council With Same Energy
Friday, 26 April 2024, 5:03 pm | Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter
John Boswell has thought “long and hard” about his new job. He knows that chief executive of Marlborough council is “clearly one that matters”. Boswell, who’s held the position of Chief of Army since 2018, has promised to bring the same “energy, ... More >>
West Coast Visitor Approach Should Be Smarter — DOC Boss
Friday, 26 April 2024, 5:01 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coasters "love their environment" but the region can be smarter in attracting tourists for longer stays by utilising the outstanding natural environment, the retiring DOC boss for the region says. The DOC estate contributes 45% of the region's GDP ... More >>
Walkway Opens To ‘magnificent’ Rimu Te Mānawanui
Friday, 26 April 2024, 4:59 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
The public can now view a massive rimu, at least 1000 years old, discovered almost by accident in South Westland. This week the tree has been formally recognised as the largest known rimu in the South Island, with public access to the site opening ... More >>
Northland Council Continues Four-year Māori Ward Fight In Face Of Government Changes
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 3:59 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Northland council that played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed is now lobbying against Government plans to reinstate binding referendums. It plans to write to Local Government Minister Simeon Brown expressing concern over his signalled ... More >>
Ruawai Leader Slams Kaipara Council In Battle Over $400k Property
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 3:56 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaipara District Council (KDC) earlier this month rescinded its December decision that sale proceeds from a $400,000 residential property could be returned to the Raupo drainage committee. When the 16 Ruawai Wharf Rd property sells, the sale proceeds ... More >>
Is Ōtara Town Centre Really Alcohol Free?
Wednesday, 24 April 2024, 5:51 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Ōtara town centre is legally an alcohol free zone, but “you wouldn't know it” according to some community advocates. Ōtara Youth Hub manager Victoria Hearn said drinking is a “huge issue” in the town centre, even though it has been an alcohol-free ... More >>
Deputy Mayor Almost Steps Aside Over Misunderstanding
Tuesday, 23 April 2024, 3:35 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill deputy mayor Tom Campbell has confirmed he almost stepped aside from his role over a misunderstanding with Mayor Nobby Clark. The incident involved an email sent by the mayor which talked about an investigation into a combined Three ... More >>
TV Interview Sparks Backlash Over Town’s Pāua Shell Move
Tuesday, 23 April 2024, 3:33 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The relocation of an iconic Southland pāua shell has undergone a robust consultation, but not everyone is happy with the end result. Last November, Southland District Council asked the public where they wanted Riverton’s town icon to be shifted following ... More >>
Far North Mayor Hits Out At Government Māori Ward Changes
Monday, 22 April 2024, 5:02 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Far North District Council and Northland Regional Council are set to oppose the coalition Government’s signalled changes to Māori wards. Councils that have previously set up Māori wards without a referendum will have to hold a binding community poll at ... More >>
‘Gone Berzerk’: Vandals Plague Public Toilets
Monday, 22 April 2024, 4:59 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
A public toilet block in a small Southland town is battling ongoing vandalism, forcing the council to explore new solutions. Since October 2023, Lumsden’s toilets have been vandalised on at least five separate occasions. The cost of vandalism was estimated ... More >>
Complainants Tight-lipped Over Invercargill Mayor’s Apology
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:12 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Last month, Clark made headlines when he appeared on satirical news show New Zealand Today and repeated a racial slur he had drawn criticism for in 2023. The appearance prompted councillors Ian Pottinger and Ria Bond to lodge a code of conduct complaint ... More >>
Bengal Cats ‘picked On’ By Council’s Pet Policy
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:10 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Concern for native animal species has prompted a Southland council to monitor online pet sales, with a particular focus on Bengal cats. Ownership of the breed requires a special permit in Southland, with a complete ban on Stewart Island/Rakiura. More >>
E-scooter Agreement Extended In Waimakariri
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:06 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Pink Flamingo Scooters will continue zipping through towns like Rangiora and Kaiapoi. The Wellington-based company has been confirmed as Waimakariri district’s e-scooter provider for another three years. There are 150 e-scooters available in the Waimakariri ... More >>
Kaipara Mayor Wants Māori Ward Gone Before Next Local Elections
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 4:03 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson wants his council’s Māori ward gone before next year’s local government election. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown this month signalled changes to Māori wards, which would require a referendum for their establishment. ... More >>
