Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]

Ōpōtiki Council Becomes Funding Agency Guarantor

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:29 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Ōpōtiki District Council's capital spending projects over the coming year includes improvements to its wastewater plant. More >>

Ōpōtiki Adopts Plan To Tackle Climate Change

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:28 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Council staff will now begin detailed work to put the plan into action, including setting priorities, timelines, and measures for success. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it stays relevant as new challenges and opportunities arise. More >>

How To Heat The Jewel In Kawerau’s Cooling Crown?

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:26 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Feedback from annual planning for the coming year had mostly opposed the proposed 5.8 percent rates rise required to maintain levels of service, while also challenging council to raise these levels of service. More >>

Hastings Rate Review Could Shift Higher Costs To Homeowners

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:24 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter

Hastings residential homeowners would bear the financial brunt if Hastings District Council changes the way it charges out its rates. More >>

Relief As Auckland Residents Finally Offered Temporary Bus

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:16 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

The two options are expected to be presented to residents through public consultation, and AT indicatively estimated a temporary bus service in place six months after that. More >>

Vote Ban Won’t Stop South Taranaki Iwi Committee, Say Tribal Reps

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:11 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting

Mayor Phil Nixon was disappointed by the voting ban but said the council had a strategic agreement with iwi and strong, ongoing informal relationships. More >>

Push For Cleaner Heating In Wairarapa Amid Air Quality Concerns

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:09 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

With only one air quality monitoring station currently running in Wairarapa, based in Masterton West, it was difficult to know what air pollution levels were being felt by South Wairarapa residents. More >>

Wairarapa Coastal Road Hangs In The Balance As Government Pulls Funding

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 7:07 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Cape Palliser is a massive regional driver, pulling in more than 150,000 visitor vehicle journeys each year and generating between $85m-$95m in regional tourism spend per year. More >>

Claims Of Poor Wilding Control Rejected By Meridian

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 6:57 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter

Power company Meridian has been accused of failing to maintain its land near Lake Pukaki. More >>

Government Departments Pull Back On Porirua Housing Partnership

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 6:55 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

Three government departments rolled back their presence at a housing partnership in Porirua that aimed to get more people onto the housing ladder from social housing. More >>

Ashburton Amalgamation Shortlist Cut To Five

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 6:54 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Mayor Liz McMillan said in some scenarios “assumptions have been made” including the possible merger of other councils like Greater Christchurch. More >>

Rotorua Gardeners No Longer Dodging Traffic As Near Misses Plummet

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 6:52 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter

A redesign of high-risk roadside gardens is being credited for the fall in incidents. More >>

Cost Jumps For Southland Mayor’s Scandinavian Trip

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 6:46 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

A decision for the trip was not formally made but was instead agreed to over email, the council said. More >>

Community Finds Silver Lining In 'Disappointing' Landfill Decision

Friday, 19 June 2026, 4:43 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Oxford community has reacted to an interim decision by the Environment Court to grant consents for a landfill and quarry, subject to an agreement between Woodstock Quarries Ltd and the Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury. More >>