Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Council Ponders Commercial Tag For Short-Term Accommodation In Mackenzie
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:43 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors responded with silence. Jones, owner of PJ and Associates, consults with local government entities across the country, delivering advice and facilitating decision-making. More >>
Local Government Reforms: Thames-Coromandel Mayor Pitches Bay Of Plenty Merger
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:38 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils are scrambling to consider mergers and other structural changes as part of the Government’s simplifying local government reforms. More >>
Regional Training For Medical Students A ‘Gamechanger’
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:32 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough Primary Health chief executive Beth Tester told Local Democracy Reporting the programme was a “gamechanger” for health in the region. More >>
'As A Tool It's Just Amazing': Breathing Digital Life Into Old News
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:25 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
About 1700 editions of the Wairarapa Times-Age - covering between 1944 and 1950 - have been made available online. More >>
Wairarapa Regional Council By-Election Race Heats Up
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:22 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has proposed disestablishing the Regional Council structures in their current form from 2028. More >>
Under The Pump: Ashburton Council Reveals Soaring Fuel Bill
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:17 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council originally estimated fuel prices at $2.50 back in January, and the $170,000 budget won’t cover the increase. More >>
Bookarama To Go Ahead Before Ashburton Hall Sale
Friday, 12 June 2026, 6:07 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council considered a report behind closed doors last month, where it decided to put it on the open market. More >>
Merger Talks: Christchurch Mayor Told To 'Put Big Pants On'
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:58 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton councillors reduced eight amalgamation options down to five - none of which include Christchurch City, at a recent district council meeting More >>
Wellington Jumps Aboard Tax-Free Public Transport Fares
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:49 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Greater Wellington regional councillor Ros Connelly, chairperson of the public transport committee, said anything that made travel more affordable was a good idea. More >>
Picton Cruise Ship Bookings Up 23% After A Tough Few Years
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:45 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
While Port Marlborough and Destination Marlborough wanted to promote Picton as a cruise destination, they did not want to strain resources with over-tourism, instead seeking a “nice balance”. More >>
Principal: NCEA Replacement Is A Return To 'The 1980s'
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury schools have expressed mixed views about school qualifications changes and support, following last month's Budget. More >>
Kaikōura Fears Losing Representation As Merger Looms
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:35 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is seeking community feedback on options for its political future, as part of the local government reforms. More >>
North Canterbury Council Eyes $2 Million Windfall
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:21 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils are expecting a boost from the Government's "Incentives for Growth Fund". More >>
Funding Renewed To Feed Vulnerable North Canterbury Families
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:16 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black is thrilled funding has been secured for North Canterbury food rescue charity, Satisfy Food Rescue, for another year. More >>
Highway Crash Hot Spot: Locals Plead With Drivers To Report Accidents
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:11 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Bay of Plenty locals say they're seeing too many crashes on a stretch of highway between Paerata Ridge and Appleton Road, near Ōpōtiki. More >>
Unelected Voting Rights Change Puts Rotorua Iwi Representation In The Spotlight
Friday, 12 June 2026, 10:07 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The impact of the latest local government reform announcement is unclear in Rotorua. More >>
Lower Hutt Among Five Cities In Global Climate Risk Initiative
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 2:56 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
June 11, 2026 Wellington, Wairarapa Lower Hutt is one of five cities around the world picked for a global climate project to help vulnerable people respond to extreme climate risks. The Hutt City Council will be teaming up with the Lower ... More >>
Embattled Nelson Councillor Keeps Her Seat
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 2:38 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Lisa Austin will remain a councillor after Nelson City Council decided against declaring her seat vacant and holding a by-election amid questions on her eligibility and financial interests. More >>
Will The Cameras Keep Rolling? Waikato Screen Chases Funding To Survive 50% Cut
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 10:46 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
To ensure fair funding among all nine Waikato councils, Waikato Screen proposed a hybrid model that sees every council giving the same 'base' amount ($20,000). More >>
Power Prices Could Jump On Stewart Island – Again
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 10:33 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
District councillor and community board appointee Jon Spraggon said even a $0.04 increase could affect people on a budget, acknowledging it was a “bad time of year” heading into Winter. More >>
