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]
Napier Dogs Pawrade Through City, Woof Down Icecream
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 4:59 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Dogs and their owners pawraded down a red carpet for the best-dressed dog competition, which was won by Caesar and owner Samantha. More >>
Waihī Locals Forced Onto Wrong Side Of Road As SH25 Deteriorates
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 4:29 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid road degradation on a section of State Highway 25 north of Waihī is forcing some locals to drive on the other side of the road. More >>
Southland Slink Skin Operator Protests At Council With Animal Carcasses
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 4:14 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
A disgruntled slink skin operator who arrived at Invercargill council buildings with dead animals could be trespassed. More >>
Far North Executive To Head $1.4b Northland Water Company
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 4:05 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
A Far North water sector professional has been appointed to lead Northland’s new water services company, which will manage about $1.4 billion in water assets across Te Tai Tokerau. More >>
Proposed Repair Plan Fails To Save Lower Hutt Community Lounge
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 10:50 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Residents association chairperson James Scott said that councillors voted to demolish the lounge to save money but he was sad about the engagement. “There doesn't seem to be an interest in working with the community to try & find a solution,” he said More >>
Te Tai Hauāuru Candidates Blast Local Government Reforms
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 10:23 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
About 100 voters filled Hāwera’s Senior Citizens Hall on Thursday night for a debate hosted by Climate Justice Taranaki. More >>
Public Excluded From Masterton Town Hall Vote
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 10:19 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The agenda for a Masterton District Council meeting on Wednesday said the status of the project had shifted from green to amber and councillors would be voting on the direction of the rebuild in public exclusion. More >>
Tekapo Residents Feel They 'Live In Islands' Surrounded By Tourist Accommodation
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 10:16 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The Mackenzie District Council revealed the figures from its annual resident opinion survey at a council meeting last month, with the council’s corporate, commercial and planning general manager Murray Dickson presenting the report. More >>
Councils Face Squeezing Multi-Million Spatial Plan Bill Under Rates Cap
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:58 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Creating a Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan is mandatory under the Government's proposed Planning Bill – one of two laws replacing the Resource Management Act, alongside the Natural Environment Bill. More >>
$6.2m Water Main Project Set To Disrupt Hastings For 11 Months
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:54 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The route runs past a school, businesses and homes through busy streets near central Hastings, many with free parking and regularly lined with vehicles. More >>
Waimakariri Mayor Backs Expansion In East Rangiora
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says a new housing development in east Rangiora shows what can happen when developers work with the council. More >>
Flaxmere Village Centre Demolition Works Set To Begin Ahead Of Redevelopment
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:46 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Council’s urban development director Raoul Oosterkamp said the new roads would be the next visible part of the infrastructure programme. More >>
'About Fairness': Councils In NZ's Most-Tolled Region Back Revenue Sharing
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:38 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Parliament is considering legislation that would allow toll revenue to be used to maintain free alternative routes as the Government signals tolling will play a bigger role in funding future transport projects. More >>
'Town Is Dead': Businesses Look To Leave CBD After Parking Changes
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:33 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Council says feedback has been 'mixed' as it surveys locals on the new centre city system. More >>
Mediation Meeting Held Between Forestry And Gisborne Council Representatives
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:28 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
An environmental commissioner facilitated the meeting after the council applied for enforcement orders against Summit Forests NZ, associated parties and directors over consent conditions on an East Cape forest this year. More >>
Iwi And Council Strike Deal In Face Of Government Cull
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:24 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Since 2017 iwi and councils could negotiate Mana Whakahono ā Rohe to formalise a role for mana whenua in planning and resource management, with a focus on the environment. More >>
Funding Boost For Key Visitor Hub On Mountains To Sea Trail
Monday, 14 September 2026, 5:34 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Tourism Minister Louise Upston says the project will address the lack of visitor infrastructure at a key trail junction, providing public toilets, safe shuttle access, parking and other facilities. More >>
To Dam Or Not To Dam: Candidates Clash Over Marlborough’s Water Future
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:52 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
ACT candidate Tom Spooner said farmers already had ideas for solutions, and cutting red tape would allow farmers “to actually do things”. More >>
Invercargill Deputy Mayor Questions Decision To Remove Then Replant Trees In Flight Path
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:48 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody raised concerns during a committee meeting this week, saying the strategy was “a little bit nonsensical" and only addressed risk for 30 years. More >>
How Melting Snow Is Affecting Southland Floodwaters
Monday, 14 September 2026, 4:45 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Melting snow was a large contributor to Southland flood flows, but the council’s models did not specifically account for it prior to the project, the council report said. More >>
