Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]

Master Creatives Take Centre Stage At NZ's First Design Festival

Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 1:32 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

The Festival of Design Aotearoa is New Zealand’s first national design festival. He Puna Tohunga – 'The Well of Master Creatives' features centrally as part of the festival. More >>

Canterbury's Regional Council Continuing To Support Chathams, For Now

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 3:59 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Environment Canterbury is continuing to provide regional council functions for the Chatham Islands Council, but the arrangement is not impacted by local government reform. More >>

Council Eyes $1.5m Footpath For Ashburton Road

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 9:47 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

A 500-metre stretch of Allens Road lacks a footpath on either side of the road, raising safety concerns for locals - including residents of the nearby lifestyle retirement village. More >>

Historic Ngāruawāhia Site Needs A New Owner With Bright Ideas

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 9:40 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

Built as a Centennial Memorial in 1940 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi signing, the land was originally gifted to the then borough of Ngāruawāhia by a local resident, deputy mayor Eugene Patterson said. More >>

Rotorua Airport Forces Delay Of Māori Immersion School Plans On Safety Grounds

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 9:36 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter

School property group seeks aviation advice after airport raises safety concerns. More >>

Dog Walkers Frequently Flout Ōmanu Beach Ban, Says Local

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 9:32 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter

There is a “no dogs” sign at the beach entrance, and a Ōmanu Beach carpark sign specifies “strictly no dogs” within 200 metres of the surf club. More >>

National Party's Promise To Fully Fund Christchurch Road Project Under Fire

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:34 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter

Tauranga has two of the country's three toll roads - Takitimu Drive and the Eastern Link. The TNL is also set to be tolled once it opens in 2028. More >>

Lytton Rd Ruled Out For Gisborne Waste Centre After Seeka Takes Tenancy

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:30 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter

Māori ward councillor Nick Tupara said the council had not been “the best neighbour” to the Rongowhakaata iwi and the hapū Ngāi Tāwhiri and Te Whānau a Iwi, to whom the marae belongs, for some time. More >>

Blenheim’s Hope Walk Focuses On Connection Before Crisis

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:25 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

Every life matters. That was the message Louise Rudolph and Logan Papier had for Marlborough district councillors as they prepared to host Blenheim’s annual suicide awareness Hope Walk. More >>

Popular Seaside Campground At Risk Of Staying Closed For Summer

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:19 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

Southland District Council is racing to find a solution for Curio Bay campground – a council-owned site situated in an area home to Hector’s Dolphins and a petrified forest. More >>

Council Eyes $1.5m Footpath For Ashburton Road

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:15 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Lochlea Lifestyle Resort manager Tony Sands and other concerned residents have been calling for the council to fix Allens Road due to fears someone could die. More >>

Hundreds Of Builders Call For Slashing Of Red-Tape, Quicker Consents

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:10 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter

Several respondents called for simpler consenting and regulatory processes at the local council level, with one saying council involvement was driving up costs and fuelling consent delays. More >>

'Treasured Memory': Hollywood Cast And Crew Praise Waitaki’s Heritage And Culture

Monday, 12 October 2026, 6:05 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter

The seven-part Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, East of Eden, was filmed early last year in Ōamaru’s Historic Precinct, starring Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott. More >>

Hawke’s Bay Roading Contractor Layoffs As Cyclone Work Ends

Monday, 12 October 2026, 3:56 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter

It’s understood Tūpore Infrastructure has made significant cuts in one of its divisions, while Wairoa-based Quality Roading Services has cut roles in its maintenance team. More >>

Testing Eases Rotorua Lake And Forest 'Forever Chemical' Fears

Monday, 12 October 2026, 3:51 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter

Forest irrigation all-clear Monitoring has also confirmed the 35-year practice of irrigating treated wastewater into a section of Whakarewarewa Forest has not caused any significant environmental harm. More >>

'Don't Count Yourself Out': Porirua By-Election Candidate’s Push For Voter Participation

Monday, 12 October 2026, 3:47 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

October 8, 2026 South Auckland A candidate in Porirua’s Onepoto General Ward by-election is encouraging people to vote after some family and friends mistakenly thought they lived outside the ward. Sāmoan educator and community services leader ... More >>

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