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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Rates Cap Will Put Squeeze On Community Groups, Facilities - Marlborough Deputy Mayor
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:22 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The cap was originally proposed in December to help bring down household’s already stretched cost of living expenses. More >>
Hart Secures Wairarapa Seat On Regional Council
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:19 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Candidate Alistair Plimmer received the most first preference votes but did not secure enough for a majority, and candidate Colin Olds was the ultimate runner-up. More >>
Palestinian Group Makes Second Bid For Change At Invercargill Council
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:15 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa formally presented 270 signatures to Invercargill City Council on Tuesday, asking it to boycott companies connected to “illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land”. More >>
Wainui Coastal Adaptation Plan Put On Hold
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:11 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council gained community feedback last year to produce updated plans meant to be outlined last June, according to the council website. More >>
Shelter For Whakatāne's Rough Sleepers
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:08 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotary Whakatāne president John van Boheemen said Rotary had been concerned about the number of rough sleepers around the country and wanted to do something practical to help them. More >>
'Relieved' – Nelson Councillor’s Legal Issues Ironed Out
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:02 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Lisa Austin has had a tumultuous first term, but she has now received approval for her financial interests from the Auditor-General just several weeks after facing being dismissed from her seat. More >>
Horizons Calls Halt To 11 Iwi Partnership Processes Ahead Of RMA Repeal
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 4:58 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Horizons Regional councillors have agreed to wind down the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWāR) processes initiated by 14 iwi entities and shift toward alternative partnership arrangements. More >>
Ngāti Ruanui Recruits Rangatahi To Close Voter Gap
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 4:26 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The South Taranaki iwi says campaigners in their late teens and early twenties can reach young would-be voters in ways older recruiters can’t. More >>
Tasman Council’s Rivers Team ‘Under-Resourced’
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 4:21 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Deputy mayor Brent Maru said river management was “one of the most talked about areas of concern” in the community. More >>
Nelson Skate Park Aims To ‘grow Olympians’
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 11:19 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Nelson is poised to get a brand-new $6.3 million skate park that was hoped to develop local talent and to attract skaters across the country and further afield. More >>
Car Parks Could Go For Upgrade Of 'disaster' Nelson Cycleway
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 11:14 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A widely-criticised cycleway in Nelson is poised to be upgraded, but the preferred option would remove car parks along St Vincent Street. More >>
Whakatāne's Main Street To Host Motorsport Rally Opening
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 11:07 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council has agreed to close The Strand, between the Quay Street-George Street roundabout and Commerce Street between 3pm and 7pm both days of the rally. More >>
'Pull The Plug': Government Reforms Could Halt New Hawke’s Bay Water Rules
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 10:27 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has spent years developing the rules, but the Government is overhauling the resource-management framework, which could leave them partly or entirely redundant. More >>
Independent Review Clears Horizons Councillor Of Breaking Rules
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 10:14 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
At a council meeting in Palmerston North on Tuesday, Horizons Regional councillor Elijah Pue said the investigation confirmed his position that he had acted appropriately. More >>
Upper Hutt Weighs Māori Wards For Next Two Local Elections
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 10:08 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The local Ōrongomai Marae, as well as mana whenua Wellington Tenths Trust, Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, were supportive of Māori wards in Upper Hutt. More >>
Carterton Council Asked To Waive $18k Water Bill
Tuesday, 25 August 2026, 1:31 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Usually, when a ratepayer has arranged and paid for the leak to be repaired, & where no further leak alarm was being recorded, council can approve a remission, provided the required supporting documentation was completed & relevant criteria was met. More >>
Petone Power Outage Affecting Over 100 Properties
Tuesday, 25 August 2026, 1:26 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Commercial premises affected include Mitre 10’s Petone store on Bouverie St. More >>
‘About Us, Without Us’: Trust Seeks Rewrite Of Rotorua Lakes Funding Deal
Tuesday, 25 August 2026, 1:24 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Trust's proposal to transfer $2m in funding opens wider debate on lake management. More >>
What Are The Three Options For Nelson's New Civic Centre?
Tuesday, 25 August 2026, 1:06 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
An explainer for the three different site options put forward for the facility. More >>
Carterton Forestry Property Rates Could Go Sky High
Tuesday, 25 August 2026, 10:38 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Steve Cretney said councillors had not yet made a decision on whether these changes should proceed, and said any changes would be subject to community feedback, hearings, and further council deliberations before a final decision was made. More >>
