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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Ashburton Mayoralty Race: Who Wants The Job?
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:48 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Nominations don’t open for three months but there are already three names in the running after the mayor announced he wouldn't stand again. More >>
‘Step Backwards’: Uffindell’s Equal Voting Rights Bill Challenged
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:47 pm | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
The draft bill was intended to stop any move away from the principle of equal suffrage, where each person gets an equal say in electing people, Uffindell said. More >>
Recycling Crisis: Overflow, Contamination Could Close Raetihi Waste Station
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:45 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Council executive manager infrastructure Vini Dutra said last year the station was plagued by a number of operational and environmental challenges that were unsustainable. He said the station could be closed if it was not used properly. More >>
Tasman Council’s Proposed Fee Hikes Outstrip Inflation
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:44 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Most fees are proposed to increase 10%, but others like dog registration fees and LGOIMA request charges would jump by even greater margins. More >>
Time For Masterton To Have Its Say On Water Future
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:43 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The consultation document said there was no requirement for water charges to be standardised across the districts. More >>
Avian Botulism Likely Caused More Than 100 Duck Deaths In Napier
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:38 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game is still waiting on water quality results after deceased and distressed ducks were found in Napier. More >>
Flaxmere Shopping Centre Returns To Local Ownership After 17 Years
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:36 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hawke’s Bay-based property development firm TW Property has taken over the 2.17ha shopping centre from the Hong Kong-based Sung Family Trust, which has owned it since 2008. More >>
Marlborough Community Initiative Fizzles Out
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:34 pm | Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter
Groups in Seddon and Picton stopped meeting and had been on hold for three years, while in Havelock a community association had become the go-to for the community. More >>
Councillor Criticises Western Bay Water Consultation As ‘Tokenistic’
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:32 pm | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Consultation for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s plan to manage drinking, storm and wastewater starts on Monday. More >>
Preserving Tonga’s Rare And Traditional Songs
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:31 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The hub has helped reconnect New Zealand-born Tongans with their heritage through cultural storytelling, recently hosting the Ocean Star Fetu'u Moana Academy as they recorded songs for their dance academy. More >>
Gisborne Seeks Legal Advice On New Speed Limit Rule
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:30 pm | Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter
The council's bylaw process complicates implementing the new speed limits. More >>
Meet The Weed Boat Driver Keeping Hawke’s Bay Streams Flowing
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:28 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
HBRC is one of only three councils in the country to own these unique machines, built in Hawke's Bay by HBRC Works Group workshop, with various components supplied and manufactured by local companies. More >>
Canterbury Council Boss Says Postal Voting Still Needed
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:18 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie says voters need a range of options, alongside postal voting to increase voter turnout. More >>
Hapū Knowledge Could Upend Kaimoana Rules
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:16 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Kaumātua Syd Ngatai and Koro George Kerehoma agree that backing from the law is needed to stop the pillaging of kaimoana - and that it's time to protect the large breeding shellfish rather than the younger, smaller ones. More >>
Plans To Remove Auckland Park Benches On Hold
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:14 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The benches were to be removed and relocated for use at a Russel Rd bus stop, costing between $300 to $400 per seat. More >>
Council To Consider Health Advocacy Group
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:13 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Dr Luca presented councillors with a proposal to set up a group similar to that of Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Kāpiti Health Advisory Group that was established in 2017. More >>
Whakatāne Council Proposes 11.7% Rates Rise
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:11 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Despite varying opinions around the table about whether the average rate rise should be higher or lower than the 11.7 percent proposed by the draft budget, the majority of elected members agreed to compromise by accepting the figure. More >>
Apology Crawls Towards Reality After Council Treaty Bill Strife
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:10 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
TRC chair Craig Williamson is due to say sorry to New Plymouth District Councillor Dinnie Moeahu, who was approved to speak in December but was left fuming as councillors argued over his speaking slot and moved him down the agenda. More >>
Southland Elections: Councillors Frank About ‘Challenging’ Role
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:08 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Southland District Council is made up of one mayor and 12 councillors. Nominations for this year’s election open 4 July and close 1 August. The election is set for 11 October. More >>
Ashburton Deputy Mayor Eyes Up Sheriff Role
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 8:05 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Liz McMillan has been Ashburton's deputy mayor for two terms and says she is ready to take the top job. More >>
