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]
Two New Faces For West Coast Conservation Board
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:33 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Dr Wards previously served as a principal adviser at the Ministry of Primary Industries and was branch chairman of Forest and Bird in Upper Hutt for 20 years. More >>
Cash Prizes For Conservation Offered To Coast
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:29 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
A new conservation awards programme boasting $7500 in cash prizes could be accepted by the West Coast Conservation Board today. More >>
Hastings Blossom Parade Returns With New Market And Shorter Route
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:24 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The annual event is funded by Hastings District Council. Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said the parade and festival were an important part of the district’s identity and heritage. More >>
Lower Hutt's Flood Defence Costs Balloon By Extra $185M
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:20 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The council blamed the surge on “a range of factors”; on changing designs, inflation and a more detailed understanding of completing overlapping projects in a confined river corridor. More >>
Demand At Ōtara Overnight Clinic More Than Double Forecast
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:13 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Maps supplied by Health NZ show people using the clinic came from across Auckland, although most were concentrated in Ōtara and surrounding South Auckland suburbs. More >>
Abatement Notices In Westport And Reefton
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 5:05 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Westport and Reefton are on the regional council's radar with abatement and infringement notices for illegal material discharge and illegal structures. More >>
Doggone It: National Dog Show Canned Due To Manfeild Surface Concerns
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 4:53 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The loss of the national show was a blow for the venue which had been trying to increase use of its facilities. More >>
Bid To Stop Canterbury Water Project Expansion Fails
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 4:49 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
August 31, 2026 A significant Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project has been given the green light to expand, pending approval of strengthened conditions. The Hekeao Hinds Water Enhancement Trust lodged consent applications at the end of ... More >>
Mount Maunganui Slip: Full Reopening Of Facilities Could Cost Up To $38m
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 12:12 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The massive slip crashed down from Mauao into the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park on January 22, after heavy rain. Seven months on, the council-owned campground and damaged Mount Hot Pools next door remain closed. More >>
Kāpiti Coast Weighs Up $1.4m Splash On Manu Pool
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 12:02 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
“Deferring construction significantly increases the risk of pool closures due to potential plant failure adding avoidable costs to council,” said the council paper. More >>
No Go For Trucks On 'Low Strength' Dannevirke Bridge
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 11:53 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Andrew Desmond network manager for Tararua Alliance acknowledged it was a last minute change for commuters, but he said engineers say the route should be restricted to light vehicles “as soon as practical.” More >>
Pair Deny Filming To ‘Intimidate’ New Plymouth Councillor
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 11:49 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
“When someone's directly pointing a camera at you, towards you, many times – I just wonder what the motivation is behind that,” said Councillor Te Waka McLeod. More >>
The Questions That Will Shape Tasman’s Next Decade
Monday, 31 August 2026, 4:14 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The levels of service provided to the community have been discussed extensively in council workshops in recent months, with dispersed infrastructure proving challenging. More >>
What Is The Risk Of A Fiordland Tsunami?
Monday, 31 August 2026, 4:06 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Large landslides had occurred in the past, and an Alpine Fault earthquake could trigger those in the future, the report said, “potentially creating tsunami that reach visitor and village areas within minutes”. More >>
Can Featherston Candidates Hit The Ground Running?
Monday, 31 August 2026, 4:02 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A mid-term councillor doesn’t have the luxury of a long apprenticeship. More >>
Mackenzie Council Slams “Ludicrous” Regional Plan Timeframe
Monday, 31 August 2026, 3:55 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Under the Government’s Planning Bill, introduced by Minister Chris Bishop in December, every region would be required to establish a committee and produce a regional spatial plan. More >>
Featherston: Ready Your Vote
Monday, 31 August 2026, 3:38 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Being a Councillor is not about simply agreeing with what is put in front of you; it is about asking questions, understanding the detail and considering the wider implications of decisions. More >>
Snatched Off Her Porch By A Roaming Dog, Will Marley The Cat’s Disappearance Bring Change?
Monday, 31 August 2026, 3:35 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Across town, Percy the cat’s owner watched his home CCTV in horror as two roaming dogs fatally mauled him in his driveway. More >>
'Jolted Awake Again': Whangārei Airport Noise Attracts 122 Complaints
Monday, 31 August 2026, 3:29 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The airport boosted its sound control measures after ongoing complaints about the rescue helicopter noise, but the latest six-monthly report showed that although the total number of noise incidents has recently dropped, issues persist. More >>
Far North Votes Controversial Councillor Davina Smolders Off Māori Committee
Monday, 31 August 2026, 3:23 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors voted 7-3 to remove Smolders from Te Kuaka at the council's meeting in Kaikohe on August 27. More >>
