Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]

Election 2026: Wellington Councillors Run For Minor Parties

Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:57 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

ACT and NZ First are fielding Wellington regional councillors as electorate candidates in November’s general election. At the Kāpiti Coast, NZ First has confirmed regional councillor Penny Gaylor will stand in the newly-created Kāpiti electorate, ... More >>

Shane Jones Blasts Combined West Coast District Plan As 'Waste Of Time'

Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter

Drafted over the past five years, the TTPP was currently in the mediation process with appellants. More >>

Carterton Hopes To Turn Sunshine Into Savings

Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:51 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

The work comes after the council invested $440,000 of government funding into building a small-scale solar farm on Gallon Rd to power its wastewater treatment site in 2024. More >>

Gisborne District Council Seeks Independent Review Into Forestry Systems

Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:47 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter

Barrister Chris Finlayson, a former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and arbitrator (counsel in commercial and industry disputes), will chair the review panel. More >>

Solar On Schools In Line With Kaikōura's Dark Sky Status - Principal

Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:44 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Two Kaikōura schools have been listed as being eligible for the Government's $30m solar on schools programme. More >>

Far North Councillor's Parliamentary Bid May Force $100k By-Election

Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:22 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter

An Act Party spokesperson confirmed Smolders had been selected as a list candidate and had informed the Far North District Council (FNDC) of her intentions. More >>

Details Of Bids To Help Struggling Fiordland Airport Kept Under Wraps

Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:08 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

Local Democracy Reporting then contacted Great South, which said it was contracting itself to the council and was subject to a non-disclosure agreement. More >>

Rangatahi Given The Final Say On $120,000 In Auckland Funding

Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

Participatory budgeting differs from traditional consultation by giving communities a direct role in deciding how funding is allocated, rather than simply providing feedback. More >>

'Old Tyres On A New Car': Waterways Asphalt Battle Lost

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:28 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

The committee voted unanimously to chip seal the road. Councillor Gavin Dennis, who moved the option, said he could "appreciate a lot of people would like to have asphalt". More >>

Ngāti Awa Kāinga Māori Up For Prestigious Award

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:15 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Tūkōkeke Kāinga Māori was opened in March last year with 15 new homes, arranged in a supportive village environment next to the social and health services' offices. More >>

'Highway Robbery': South Island Leaders Demand Fairer Transport Funding

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:05 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

South Island local government leaders have been lobbying Government for a fair share of transport funding. More >>

Tauranga Council Hears Calls For Mandatory Cat Microchipping, Desexing

Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:00 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter

Predator Free NZ Trust spokesman David Lewis said the trust backed mandatory microchipping & desexing, limiting how many cats a person could own, restrictions on feeding stray cat colonies & council advocacy for national cat-management legislation. More >>

Improved Water Meter Data Helps Masterton Plug Leaks

Friday, 14 August 2026, 8:55 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

“It has given residents a better understanding of how water meters work and how they can use the information to monitor their own consumption," says Council’s infrastructure group manager, Tyler Ross. More >>

Ohakune Residents Still Boiling Drinking Water As Town Enters ‘Recovery Mode’

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:10 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Civil defence controller Vini Dutra said three consecutive days of clear test results are required before the boil water notice can be lifted. More >>

Former Porirua Councillor Tracy Johnson Dies

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:06 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

“She gave a great deal to Porirua and to the people around her. Our city is now missing one of its shining stars,” said Mayor Anita Baker More >>

Councillor Takes Aim At West Coast's Combined Plan

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter

Both Cummings and Birchfield have previously criticised the council for hiring consultants from the North Island to process consent applications, leading to longer waiting times. More >>

Paid Sunday Parking Could Undermine Hamilton CBD’s Two Hours Free, Say Business Owners

Thursday, 13 August 2026, 6:53 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

"They should be encouraging people to come to the CBD... when you look at how many empty shops there are around, it's not easy making a living in the CBD so they turn around & just make it harder," says vintage store Fossick’s co-owner John Needham. More >>

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