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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Warning Of Homelessness 'Explosion' Despite New Government Funding
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 11:02 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka have announced $14.5 million in nationwide funding for services supporting people experiencing homelessness, with Hamilton in line to receive a share. More >>
Blenheim Quarry Proposal Sparks Community Backlash - But Few Got To Weigh In
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:49 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Earthworks company Gill Construction filed a resource consent application in February to open the Taylor Pass Quarry about 5km south of Blenheim on Taylor Pass Rd. More >>
Rangitīkei Mayor Calls Council Reforms “Purely Political”
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:45 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The deadline for those across Rangitīkei to share their feedback with council on the Government’s amalgamation reforms had been pushed out for people submitting physical forms, but online submissions had closed. More >>
Whakatāne CBD Alcohol Ban Aims To Tackle Rough Sleepers' Day-Drinking
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:40 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
At a hearing on the bylaw change, Whakatāne Police Sergeant Christopher Howard said police had seen a recent spike in the number of rough sleepers drinking in the town centre during the day, often resulting in offensive behaviour. More >>
$700k Litter Bins Discarded By Hauraki District Council
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:35 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The bins were designed to alert staff when they were full, and optimise collection by compacting rubbish and saving labour costs. More >>
'Absolutely Critical' Wairarapa Road Gets More Coastal Erosion Defense
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:23 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Work has started on the extension of the EcoReef system at Whatarangi on Cape Palliser Rd, as part of a wider programme to strengthen coastal resilience along the vulnerable stretch of coastline. More >>
'Not Going Back': North Canterbury Schools Continue Collaboration Despite Funding Cut
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:04 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora High School says collaboration with local primary schools is starting to show in students achieving better literacy and numeracy results at secondary school. More >>
Lower Than Expected Rates Increase For Tararua 'No Accident'
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 10:00 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Scott Gilmore said he was glad council had accounted for the financial pressure which petrol and diesel prices had added to council budgets and services, as well as the strain it was having on household budgets. More >>
Nearly Half Of Marlborough Could Be Sold Or Developed Under Conservation Bill
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 9:47 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The bill, which would make it easier to either sell off or establish economic activity on conservation land, passed its first reading in May. More >>
Major Wellington Event Tickets Could Bake In Public Transport Fares
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 9:33 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Regional councillors will decide on Thursday whether to make bundled publictransport fares standard policy for major events, meaning ticketholders would effectively pay for public transport whether they used it or not. More >>
'Voice Of Ratepayers': Suspended Mackenzie Councillor Defends Behaviour
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 9:28 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Pukaki ward councillor Frank Hocken appeared before the council yesterday at a code of conduct review, where he admitted to poor behaviour and offered the council’s chief executive, Angela Oosthuizen, an apology. More >>
Urgent Fix Needed For Carterton Bridge Being 'Shaken To Death'
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 8:39 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The state of the 69-year-old bridge was first brought to the council table in February 2025 via a Ruamahanga Roads report that listed the bridge as needing urgent attention. More >>
Delay To Rotorua Bin Rollout Cost $300k, Council Says Ratepayers Unaffected
Thursday, 25 June 2026, 8:24 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Under the new system, households will receive a green-lidded bin for food scraps and garden waste, while general rubbish collections will move from weekly to fortnightly. More >>
Whistle Blown Over Goalpost Move On Contested Land
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:57 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The land, Mangati E, was taken under the Public Works Act in 1968 for a sewerage works but that use ended when a new wastewater plant was built elsewhere in the mid-80s. More >>
The Bold Plan To Build A St John Station In Twizel
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:53 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The proposal outlined St John’s emergency response capacity in the district, covering several townships, large sections of highway, and remote rural areas. More >>
Councils Pin Hopes On Government Transport Review
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:48 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils have welcomed the Government's acceptance of the Infrastructure Commission's findings in the national infrastructure plan. More >>
Councils Pin Hopes On Government Transport Review
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:47 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils have welcomed the Government's acceptance of the Infrastructure Commission's findings in the national infrastructure plan. More >>
New Family-Friendly Activity For Hanmer
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:43 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hanmer Springs Community Board has approved the design of a new disc golf course. More >>
'Still Too High': Tauranga Sets Reduced 7.2% Rates Rise
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:39 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The Annual Plan's 7.2 percent average increase across all ratepayers was down from 10.4 percent estimated in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan and last year's hike of 9.9 percent. More >>
Four Summer Weather Events Have Cost Bay Of Plenty Regional Council $341k – So Far
Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 6:35 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government’s proposed rates reforms would limit annual rates increases and require councils to seek approval from a central regulator to exceed the cap. More >>
