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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
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 >>
Testing Of Smell And Noise Too ‘subjective’ Claims Councillor
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:55 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
Smell and noise tests have been criticised by a West Coast Regional Councillor who says a lack of technology isn't good enough. 31 environmental complaints and incidents for the region were logged by council during the January-March quarter. More >>
Reviving Māngere Town Centre On A $0 Budget
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:52 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
The heart of Māngere in south Auckland is desperate for a refresh, but there's "no money" to revive it. "If we don't make a change, this town centre will be non-existent," Māngere town centre manager Leatuao Larry Tupa’i-Lavea ... More >>
Dog Owners Fined After 27 Cats Killed
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:50 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Owners of several roaming dogs that were on a cat-killing spree, terrorising a south Auckland neighbourhood, have been fined. Residents of Conifer Grove in Takanini were devastated after several cats were found dead, attacked by a pack of dogs. They counted ... More >>
$2m Footbridge Across Flood-prone Creek To Make Walking Safer For Students
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:43 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland students who short-cut through a potentially flooded creek to get to school will soon have a safer option. The Franklin Local Board are pulling out all the stops to build a $2 million footbridge across the Whangapouri Creek in Pukekohe, scheduled ... More >>
Cat Killing Spree By Dogs In South Auckland Under Control, Says Council
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:42 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Residents of Conifer Grove in Takanini claimed at least 24 felines were killed in the past two months, by packs of roaming dogs.The shocking attacks forced the community to come together in a special public meeting, crying out to authorities for help. More >>
Councillor ‘hopeful’ Reduced Bin Collection Won’t Lead To Illegal Dumping
Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 5:10 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Larger households will face bigger challenges if Auckland's rubbish collection drops from weekly to fortnightly, but the move will encourage people to change their behaviour, a Manukau ward councillor says. Auckland Council took submissions for its draft waste ... More >>
New Zealand’s Biggest Tsunami Replacement Project Underway In Northland
Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 5:14 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The $6.7 million to date four-year project funded by Northland ratepayers is the country’s first major region-wide project using new Danish designed solar-powered tsunami siren units. The 94-siren rollout is expected to be completed by October. More >>
West Coast Swim Spot Testing Clear Of E-coli
Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 5:07 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
The latest testing at a popular Westport swimming beach appear to show an all clear for E-coli. Earlier samples over summer had flagged contamination from cattle, according to a report to the West Coast Regional Council. The test site in question, Marrs ... More >>
Council Drops Ball On Smoke-free Signage: Health Service
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:27 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
In June 2020, Invercargill City Council approved a policy to make a number of public areas smoke-free. But National Public Health Service advisor Laura Pope said that had appeared to go by the wayside in the wake of recent upgrades. More >>
Invercargill Venues ‘difficult To Access’: Migrant Community
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:22 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Southland Migrant Walking Together Organisation has called for a dedicated migrant community event space in Invercargill. The group said it is getting more difficult to access places amid high demand and costs. More >>
Kaikōura Waterfront Seeking Developers
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:01 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is working on the detailed design for the redevelopment of Wakatu Quay and hopes to begin work soon. The council is already seeking expressions of interest for a tenant to operate in the first building, which will be council ... More >>
