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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Former WCRC Chair Slams New Flood Report
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 7:44 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coast councillor Allan Birchfield, the former chairman, says the report overlooks that West Coast infrastructure were historically built on flood plains and flooding was nothing new. More >>
Northland Leaders Back Path To Single Super Council
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 7:36 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
FNDC Mayor Moko Tepania said more than half of respondents to a recent FNDC survey wanted the district to remain standalone. More >>
Taupō District Rates To Rise By An Average Of 6.6%
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 6:16 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
A strong credit rating means lower interest rates will be offered to potential lenders. S&P Global has given Taupō District Council an AA rating, which reflects high quality and low credit risk. More >>
CBD Vigour - Who Pays For That?: Business Buy-in Key To Ashburton CBD Revival
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 6:11 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton businesses and property owners will soon be asked whether they are prepared to lead—and help fund—the next phase of revitalising the town centre. A feasibility report by a retail strategy expert on unlocking the CBD's potential ... More >>
Ashburton Farmers Market Has No Plans To Move
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:53 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Farmers Market chairperson Brad Raukawa questioned what benefit such a move would have for either the market or the CBD. More >>
Canterbury Merger Plans Remain Uncertain
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:49 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton received no clear amalgamation direction from its community, and its neighbours Selwyn and Timaru are still looking at their preferred options. More >>
Community Meeting Called To Save Ashburton Sports Hall
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:46 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council considered an options report behind closed doors in May and decided to put it on the open market. More >>
Tararua Mayor Now ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Council Reforms
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:39 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Gilmore said there were ongoing concerns around “communities being dictated to” through the three-month deadline set under Head Start. More >>
'A Gift We Can Leave Each Other': New Book To Help Navigate Conversations Around Dying
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:35 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
He Aroha Te Aroha, by Whanganui writer Julie Herewini, is designed to encourage families to have important conversations about end-of-life wishes before they are needed. More >>
Jobs Programme Future Uncertain - Kaikōura Mayor
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:07 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle is waiting for more details, after the Ministry of Social Development confirmed funding has been secured for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme for 12 months, but provided no details on much Kaikōura will receive. More >>
North Canterbury's 'Vital' Community-Owned Rural Health Centre Expanding
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:04 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's community owned Waikari Health Centre is expanding to offer more services and more opportunities for medical students. More >>
Eastern Bay Councils Choose To ‘Be At The Table’ In Amalgamation Talks
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:59 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Ōpōtiki district councillor Barry Howe was the most candid in his objections, describing the options put before council as “blackmail”. More >>
Questions Loom Over How To Divvy Quayside Dividend
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:52 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Eastern Bay has a huge geographic area, with a significant amount of biodiversity potential, not only in the whenua but also in the moana. More >>
Waihī To Get New Pedestrian Island Without NZTA’s Help
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:46 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The island creates a resting point for those crossing State Highway 25 on a stretch of road used by about 3700 vehicles a day, a Hauraki District Council agenda read. More >>
Southland Preparing For El Niño Weather
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:40 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The council report said Southland's cumulative rainfall for 2026 was at 81% of the long-term average and the region’s aquifers would benefit from more. More >>
Hurunui To Notify Climate Solution Plan Change
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:35 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council will notify a plan change next week to allow it to rezone farmland south of Amberley, so it can plan for the future relocation of Amberley Beach. More >>
Taranaki Puanga Celebrations Centre On Stratford, Hāwera
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:17 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
On Thursday evening Puanganui-o-te-Rangi returns with performances and activitiesin Stratford War Memorial Hall, thanks to a joint effort by Ngāruahine Iwi Health Services and Stratford District Council. More >>
Combined Council Wages Reach $33m Across Wairarapa
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:12 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa district councils signed off the wage costs in their 2026/27 annual plans, which included the payments made to elected members whose pay was set by the Remuneration Authority. More >>
Carterton Council In Stoush With Contractor For $1.8m
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:07 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The recently-released council documents showed the council still intended to recover costs from CHBE, despite “legal risks in recovering compensation”. More >>
New North Canterbury School 'Only A Matter Of Time' Amidst Population Boom
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 9:55 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Population growth in Amberley, Woodend and east Rangiora is raising questions about whether more primary schools and even a secondary school are needed. More >>
