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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
The New Give Way To Buses Law Is Here - Will It Actually Help?
Friday, 2 October 2026, 5:59 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Children aged 12 and under will also be allowed to ride bikes on footpaths regardless of whether a parent or caregiver is alongside them, while e-scooters will be permitted in cycle lanes. More >>
Tekapo Paid Parking Pilot To Begin Next Easter
Friday, 2 October 2026, 5:56 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The proposal to trial paid parking was presented by Mackenzie District Council chief executive Angela Oosthuizen at a meeting on Tuesday, with councillors approving the pilot to begin by Easter next year. More >>
Palmerston North's Nightlife Revival Plan Gains Traction
Friday, 2 October 2026, 12:50 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
A nightlife decline rippled wider than seeing less people out - there were jobs at risk, fewer opportunities for performers and less money circulating within the local economy, DJ Mason Spooner told Local Democracy Reporting. More >>
Plan To Ease Kaikōura's Housing Pressure Put On Hold
Friday, 2 October 2026, 12:37 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council has decided not to proceed with plan change to address housing pressures, for now, despite Ministerial approval. More >>
'Golden Handshake': Council Refuses To Say If Grenfell Will Receive Payout
Friday, 2 October 2026, 12:07 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga City Council and its leadership are refusing to answer questions including Grenfell’s reasons for resigning and whether he will receive a payout. More >>
Only Iwi Reps Keep Voting Rights On Taranaki Committees
Friday, 2 October 2026, 11:59 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Regional councils are due to be abolished if the current Government is re-elected in November but even that won’t remove voting rights from iwi representatives. More >>
Regional Councils Needed To Help With ‘complex’ Reform — ECan Chair
Friday, 2 October 2026, 10:05 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Elected regional councillors are set to be abolished in 2028, but regional functions are "large and complex", Environment Canterbury chairperson Dr Deon Swiggs says. More >>
Hurunui-Led Campaign Aims To Attract More Australian Visitors
Friday, 2 October 2026, 9:54 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui and Kaikōura are set to benefit from campaigns to boost tourism this summer. More >>
Council Performance Data Needs Local Context — Council Boss
Friday, 2 October 2026, 9:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government performance data doesn't tell the full story, Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward says. More >>
'No Council Invoices': Ashburton Community-Funded Bike Park Takes Shape
Friday, 2 October 2026, 9:47 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The park, aimed at teaching road safety skills to children, young people and adults as they learn how to ride a bike or scooter, is on track for its scheduled completion in December. More >>
All Aboard: Full-Size Tūhono Train Mock-Up Unveiled
Friday, 2 October 2026, 9:01 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
CCS Disability Action access advisor Raewyn Hailes said involving people with lived experience would improve carriage comfort and ease of movement for all passengers and crew. More >>
Tearful Tararua Councillors Meet For First Time After Colleague's Death
Friday, 2 October 2026, 8:53 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Woodville Lions president Dale Stokes told Manawatū Standard last week Johns suffered serious injuries when the scaffolding crashed onto him in severe wind. More >>
Election Candidate Tightlipped On Future After Job Loss Win
Friday, 2 October 2026, 8:36 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Vicky Hau took her case to the Employment Relations Authority after she was made redundant from the position. More >>
Stockwater Exit Could Leave Ashburton Domain Pond High And Dry
Friday, 2 October 2026, 8:27 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Ashburton District Council is in the final year of delivering the service, with Winchmore being the next stockwater intake under the exit transition spotlight. More >>
'We're Pulling Out All The Tools': Tongariro Recovery Effort Continues After Massive Fires
Friday, 2 October 2026, 8:23 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Department of Conservation (DOC) operations manager Libby O’Brien said native plants are resilient but the fire-damaged landscape remains vulnerable despite signs of natural recovery. More >>
Mock-Up Of New Regional Trains Put To The Test In Wellington
Friday, 2 October 2026, 8:03 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Built by KiwiRail at its Lower Hutt workshop, the mock-up is a life-sized model of a Tūhono battery-electric multi-unit train’s cab and carriage. More >>
Boat Partly Submerged In Marlborough Sounds Sparks Oil Spill Response
Friday, 2 October 2026, 7:59 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The 56-foot launch, named the Padrone, sunk near Waitaria Bay jetty in Kenepuru Sound on Tuesday, carrying 2000 litres of diesel and 60 litres of engine oil. More >>
Amberley Reserve Development To Cater 'For All Ages'
Friday, 2 October 2026, 7:56 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council has approved the installation of a play module for younger children as part of the development of the Amberley Village Green. More >>
Nitrate Issue ‘Hasn’t Gone Away’, Former ECan Chair Says
Friday, 2 October 2026, 7:53 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Former Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling has expressed his frustration, after his former colleagues effectively voted to end the region's nitrate emergency. More >>
Gisborne Couple Collect 600kg Of Rubbish In Beach Clean-Ups
Friday, 2 October 2026, 7:50 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Ben Arthur and Eleanor Dizon moved to Gisborne three weeks ago for a job opportunity, but quickly spent their spare time tackling the region’s illegal tipping problem. More >>
