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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:09 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
While the Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable Trust is grateful for every dollar during the tough times funding agencies face nationally, its chief executive says $400,000 is simply not enough to restore the track to previous heights. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:04 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Blade Masters, on Market St, relied on walk-in clients and that could be 70 or 80 people per week, Newton-Broadbent said. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura District Council is weighing up the cost of participating in forming a Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan, while it awaits a decision on its proposal to merge with Marlborough. More >>
Tararua Braces For An ‘Intense’ El Niño Season
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:32 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Conditions were already dry and early messaging from Tararua District Council’s group operations manager included : “If you’ve got a pool to fill, do it now while it’s still raining.” More >>
Twizel Landlord Drops 'Airbnb Dream' For Worker Housing
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:29 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The district has come under scrutiny this year for its lack of affordable long-term housing, with Mackenzie District Council reporting struggles to recruit staff in March because of the shortage. More >>
Planes Could Spook Horses If New Racecourse Built, Aero Club Warns
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:13 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
In December 2025, Racing Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced $20 million in Government funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support the racecourse’s development. More >>
Ashburton Committee Makes Sales Pitch For 'Cherished Community Asset' Going To Market
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 8:31 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Ashburton Centennial Sports Hall was gifted to the Ashburton District Council in March by the Ashburton Centennial Sports Hall Society, which had owned and operated the community hub since 1954. More >>
Hastings Council Keeps Councillor Complaint Details Secret
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 7:51 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has refused to release information to Local Democracy Reporting about the nature of several complaints against councillors since they took office a year ago. More >>
Twizel Landlord Drops 'Airbnb Dream' For Worker Housing
Monday, 7 September 2026, 6:08 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The district has come under scrutiny this year for its lack of affordable long-term housing, with Mackenzie District Council reporting struggles to recruit staff in March because of the shortage. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has proposed legislation that would require councils to implement a rates cap of between 2% and 4% in next year’s Long Term Plan, which will take effect from 2029. More >>
Planes Could Spook Horses If New Racecourse Built, Aero Club Warns
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:37 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The Bridge Pa aerodrome has operated since 1932 and hosts about 40,000 aircraft movements annually, as well as 54 hangar buildings housing about 100 aircraft. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Two weeks after construction work started, Newton-Broadbent decided to close the shop while she considered the impact. More >>
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:28 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The trail reopened during Easter weekend after sustaining severe damage during Cyclone Gabrielle and the January storms, leaving many parts of the track at a walk-only safety level to this day. More >>
Taupō Mayor John Funnell Says Rates Capping Will Not Be Without ‘Trade-Offs’
Monday, 7 September 2026, 2:33 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government Minister Simon Watts issued an edict saying that from 2029, councils could not raise rates beyond an average of 4% a year. More >>
'Generations Of Hurt': Whanganui Treaty Settlement Clears Final Hurdle After Nine Years Of Negotiations
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:56 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Nine years of negotiations between Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown came to a close as settlement legislation passed its final reading in Parliament on Thursday. More >>
Kāpiti Coast Council Throws Backing Behind Ratepayer Loan Scheme
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:52 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Kāpiti Coast district councillors agreed at a Thursday meeting to express in-principle support for the RAS. More >>
One Of Auckland’s Most Ticketed Streets Sees A Big Drop In Infringements
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:49 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Last year Onehunga Mall was the second-highest ticketed street in Auckland, racking up 8782 parking tickets, and the sixth overall for revenue generated with a whopping $196,308 collected in infringement fees. More >>
Why Rockfall Was Largely Left Out Of New Mount Maunganui Slip Risk Study
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:46 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
In a Wednesday meeting, Tauranga City councillors heard more information was needed about rockfall risks, which were largely left out of the landslide report. More >>
Ashburton Council Fails To Deliver All Its Projects On Time, Again
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:41 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
With the Government introducing a 2-4% rates cap, councils are under pressure to be efficient with spending and delivery. More >>
Public Behaviour Greatest Risk For Whakatāne Council Staff
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:38 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Health, safety and wellbeing manager Dickie De Klerk presented a report on incidents over the past quarter to the finance, performance and risk committee recently. More >>
