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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Reform Challenges Dominate Ashburton Mayor’s First Year, Big Decisions Ahead
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:54 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Roads and pipes are a big focus, and it's likely that we'll be talking to the community about what trade-offs we could make in other areas. More >>
Pareora Domain Lighting Upgrade Hinges On $50K More Funding
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:48 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Toby Adams said the current lights were “hugely expensive to run” and have “been there a long time”, adding new LEDs were far cheaper long-term. More >>
North Canterbury Switches To Single Tsunami Zone For Easier Evacuation
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:45 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Tsunami evacuation zones in North Canterbury have been changed to a single blue tsunami evacuation zone, but the message remains the same - if you are near the coast and feel a strong earthquake, don't wait for an official warning, get out of there! More >>
Canterbury Solar Farm Approved At Reduced Scale
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:41 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A proposed solar farm in North Canterbury has been granted consents, but at a reduced scale and with conditions. More >>
Whangamatā Pool, Surf Life Saving Club Thrown $220K Lifeline
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:38 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Up to $135,000 was offered to the pool to cover operational expenses until June 30 2027, with the remaining $85,000 handed to the Surf Life Saving Club for infrastructure investment. More >>
1260% Rates Hike Proposed For Carterton Forestry Owners
Friday, 16 October 2026, 5:35 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton District Council confirmed that modelling it used, provided by Australasian advisory firm Morrison Low, contained an error. More >>
Kaikōura Candidate Called Out For Being Late To Meeting
Friday, 16 October 2026, 8:01 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Oliver had entered a few minutes into Chambers’s introductions. Four other candidates were already sat along a wall about to make their opening statements to the half-full room of about 30 people on Tuesday. More >>
Taranaki Marae Sees 400 Percent Power Bill Rise After Solar Install
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:54 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Poor advice and industry assumptions made the solar installation on Ōwae's new wharekai in Taranaki unnecessarily expensive, said Manukorihi Pā Trust secretary Roina Graham. More >>
West Coast Ratepayers Face Soaring Bill For Combined Plan
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:50 am | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The government has contributed just $200,000 towards the plan, which began in 2019 and has been plagued by budget blowouts. More >>
Councils ‘Left In Limbo’: Reforms, Rates Caps Debated At LGNZ Conference
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:45 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils are more trusted than Government as reform debate dominates Rotorua conference. More >>
New Whangārei Chief Executive Appointed For Pivotal Two-Year Reform Period
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:41 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Howse will become only the fourth chief executive to lead Whangārei District Council in almost 30 years. More >>
Rangiora Community Hub Project Seeks Go Ahead From Council
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:36 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The proposed multi-million dollar Southbrook Community Recreation Hub at Rangiora's Southbrook Park is slowly progressing. More >>
Kaikōura Flood Repairs Progressing — But Who Will Pay?
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:33 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is getting on with repairs from the July 7 flood, while awaiting funding decisions. More >>
'Fill Them With Laughter': Ngāti Awa Opens More Homes On Māori Land
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:29 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The opening ceremony for stage one of Kawarehe Kāinga Māori was held on Tuesday, with 16 new rental homes ready for tenants to move in and another 16 to come next year. More >>
Former Whakatāne Mayor Aims To Add 'Unique Voice' To Bay Of Plenty Regional Council
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:25 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Victor Luca, who served as mayor of Whakatāne from 2022 to 2025, signed a declaration to carry out his duties as a member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council at a meeting on Monday. More >>
“Concerns Raised”: Ashburton Market Day Under Review
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:23 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Council’s compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a debrief and/or review is normal practice for events approved by council. More >>
Masterton Council's CBD Headquarters Reopens For Business
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:20 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The staff cafeteria was modest, furniture had been reused, and artworks that hung on the walls of the former town hall were waiting to be displayed again. More >>
Council Staff Narrowly Avoid Head-On Collisions
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:17 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Kereikeepa’s report said a third incident involved a council vehicle that hit a tree in low light, with adverse weather conditions contributing. More >>
Public Asked To Help Determine Direction Of East Coast Marine Reserve
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:14 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve chairwoman Mahora Edwards (Ngāti Konohi) said the reserve was established with future generations in mind and the review was an opportunity to consider what came next. More >>
Pressure Brings Public Toilet Relief To Featherston
Friday, 16 October 2026, 7:10 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Upgrades to the town's public toilets aimed to improve the facility’s condition, safety, accessibility and long-term reliability, while retaining their external structure, which was designed to resemble a rail coach. More >>
