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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Offer To Reinstate Track At Two Slip Sites
Friday, 5 June 2026, 10:31 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Austin Oliver and Angus Robson are trustees of the Toi’s Track Restoration Trust, which wishes to reopen the once popular walking track. More >>
Counting The Cost Of Climate Change For Westport
Friday, 5 June 2026, 10:24 am | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Hopefully future governments will develop a framework that provides clarity on who is paying and what are the funding pathways for that kind of work to happen, says Former mayor Cleine. More >>
Regional Council Weighs In On Merger Proposal
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 7:59 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The West Coast Regional Council will be abolished by 2028. 2. West Coast's three district councils Westland, Grey and Buller will be submitting a formal joint proposal under the reforms. More >>
King's Birthday Honour 'A Team Effort'
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 5:03 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Former Waimakariri Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson says his King's Service Medal is thanks to the sacrifices of friends and family. More >>
Promoting Regional Interests Amid Reform
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 4:58 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury chairperson Dr Deon Swiggs says the work of the council needs to continue, even if the organisation's future is uncertain. More >>
Canterbury Reform Talks: 'Stand-alone Unitary Authorities Still In Play'
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 4:52 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
From the mayoral forum discussions, Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said that becoming a “stand-alone Unitary Authority is not ruled out”. More >>
Canterbury Councils To Gain Millions From Growth Fund - But Much Less Than GST-sharing Model
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 4:44 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
June 4, 2026 Ashburton The Government's new council growth fund will deliver a fraction of the revenue Canterbury councils could have generated under a GST-sharing model, according to expert analysis. The Incentives for Growth Fund, announced under Budget ... More >>
Boost For Rangiora Bus Service
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 4:37 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury will increase its services on its Rangiora and Rolleston bus routes to meet a growing demand, amid rising fuel costs and funding it from council reserves. More >>
Taupō Youth Sexual Health Clinic Expands Into Mental Health
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 2:08 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
"Common issues included anxiety from cyber-bullying, body-shaming, online predators, catfishing, and the pressure to meet family and societal pressures", says Departing chief executive Ross Mortimer. More >>
Auckland Author Calls Out Lack Of Pacific Children's Books
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 9:36 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
South Auckland-based children's author and educator David Riley welcomed Auckland Council Libraries' launch of Sauniga o le 'Ava Sāmoa: The 'Ava Ceremony of Sāmoa. More >>
Public Sector Job Cuts Spark Fears For Provincial Communities
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 9:05 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Early Budget announcements revealed 8700 public sector jobs would be cut over the next three years, though it remained unclear exactly which services and where in Aotearoa would be worst affected. More >>
Cemetery Expansion Underway In Tāneatua
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 8:59 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has been aware of the limited capacity of the cemetery for some time and had allocated $126,000 toward its expansion in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 for the financial year ending 2025. More >>
Whitebaiters Banned From Camping After Police Complaints
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 8:44 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council will enforce a no camping rule for whitebaiters at Kairaki Beach, near Kaiapoi. More >>
Kaipara District Council Faces Another Audit Office Probe
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 8:32 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Audit Office scrutinises public spending to provide independent assurance to Parliament and the public about how resources funded by rates and taxes are used. More >>
Mackenzie Faces 8.16% Rates Rise As Tourism And Reform Costs Add Up
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 10:03 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Finance manager Sandy Hogg and General manager Corporate, Commercial and Planning, Murray Dickson, tabled a range of rates increases for the next financial year. More >>
Wellington Councils Formalise Water Infrastructure And Debt Hand-off To Tiaki Wai
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 9:52 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Some councillors around the region have voiced concerns about water’s future affordability. More >>
'Sugar Hit': Tasman Council Borrow To Stifle Rates Increase As Rising Fuel Costs Bite
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 9:31 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
With rising fuel costs driving double-digit rates increase, Tasman District Council plans to use debt to keep the average increase to 9.9 percent. More >>
Mid-Winter Festival Caters To All Budgets In Tough Times
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:05 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
The month-long festival will run from June 27 to July 25 in Greytown. The programme includes light displays, snowfall on the town’s main street, and night-time spectacles. More >>
Waimakariri Council Keeps Rate Rise Under 5%
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:01 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon has hailed the efforts of staff in keeping the council’s average rate rise at 4.99%, including water services, in the face of rising fuel costs and Government reform. More >>
ECan Settles On 2.4% Rate Rise
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:59 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Canterbury Regional Council has reduced its proposed average rate rise from 2.9% to 2.4%, following its latest deliberations. More >>
