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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
‘Small Price To Pay’: Mackenzie Joins Rural Health Network
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 3:46 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Deputy mayor Rit Fisher said the membership fee was a “small price to pay” to provide positive outcomes for the community, and a larger reach in Wellington. More >>
Green Light Sought For Early Return Of Saved Community Pool
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 3:41 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Tāwera Community Trust is taking ownership of the Sheffield Memorial Pool and is seeking permission to open before the legal transfer from the Selwyn District Council is complete. More >>
Splash Planet’s Future Up For Feedback As Hastings Council Looks To Limit Rates Rises
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:18 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Ratepayers pay about $1.6 million a year (about $50 per rates bill a year) towards running Splash Planet, while the art gallery costs about $1.9 million a year (about $58 per rates bill a year). More >>
'One Of The Worst Sites': Forestry Firms Ordered To Remove Slash
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:05 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
All debris from harvest activity needed to be removed from streams, skid sites and other high-risk locations by burning, helicopter or truck removal. More >>
Southland's Global Space Company Won't Write Down Military Policy
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:01 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Work began at Awarua in 2004 following a €200,000 injection from the European Space Agency, he explained, and the site has since expanded to cover 32 hectares, all paid for by profits. More >>
Nitrate Levels In Rural Canterbury’s Groundwater Remain A Concern
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:58 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Greenpeace says Environment Canterbury's latest groundwater survey shows the region is still in a nitrate emergency. More >>
Councils Set Expectations For New Canterbury Water Entity
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have adopted a statement of expectations for new water services entity, Kaikōura Hurunui Water Services Ltd - but the new company's board is not entirely happy. More >>
Hamilton Aquatic Centre Up 60,000 Visitors, Councillor Keen For Expansion Or New Facility
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:53 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Waterworld’s aquatics operations manager Shayla Whaiapu would welcome an extension, but remains firmly focussed on gearing up for what may be a record-breaking summer. More >>
Rotorua Councillors Reject Call For Independent Review Of New Parking System
Monday, 2 November 2026, 1:06 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Fisher Wang, who is campaigning in the general election as Labour’s Rotorua candidate, said he had received “consistent feedback” from residents, visitors and businesses since the July changes. More >>
Porirua Deputy Mayor And Māori Councillor Kylie Wihapi Dies
Monday, 2 November 2026, 1:02 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Anita Baker announced the news on Saturday evening, saying she was “numb with shock and disbelief” and her heart was broken for her family. More >>
Public Meeting Packed Over Fight To Keep Kāpiti Airport Open
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:59 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Airport owner NZ PropCo has reached an agreement with a potential buyer, months after Air Chathams suspended its Kāpiti Coast to Auckland service in late July. More >>
Mackenzie Toilet Charges To Kick-In Ahead Of Waitangi Weekend
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:56 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The user-pays fees would be introduced at the Fairlie, Burkes Pass, Tekapo Tavern, Tekapo Footbridge, Tekapo Lakeside, Pukaki, and Twizel facilities, with charges already applied to Tekapo’s Hamilton Dr facilities. More >>
Waipaoa Stopbank Upgrade Gives Additional Protection To 10,000ha Near Gisborne
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:52 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council’s regional river manager Joss Ruifrok said the 63km stopbank protected 10,000ha of land and communities including Manutūkē, Waerenga-a-Hika and Ormond. More >>
Selwyn’s Booming Growth Delivers $104m Surplus
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:18 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said the surplus “is not cash” and should not be interpreted as $104m sitting in the bank. It reflects infrastructure handed over by developers & contributions towards future growth, she said. More >>
Property Buyers Warned Of ‘Expensive Middlemen’ Selling Overpriced LIM Reports
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:11 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
"People are being charged hundreds of dollars extra for a so-called express service, when paying a third party won't make us process the report any faster,” said the council’s Regulatory and Compliance Operations Manager Jason Shailer. More >>
Waiouru Fire Burns Nearly 3700 Hectares As Crews Battle Hotspots
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:07 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Fire and Emergency and NZDF personnel were being supported by the Department of Conservation (DOC), local volunteer fire brigades, heavy machinery operators and aerial firefighting assets. More >>
Red Tape Stalls Water Leak Fix In Carterton
Monday, 2 November 2026, 12:02 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Brian Deller said the introduction of the Local Government Water Services Act 2025 made it “basically impractical to fix leaks on lateral urgently - it’s just crazy”. More >>
Wings Clipped On Hunting Season At Popular Marlborough Lagoon
Monday, 2 November 2026, 11:59 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Nadine Taylor said it was down to the full council to approve, amend, or reject the plan, but told Councillor Scott Adams that if he wanted to put an amendment to a vote, he had to do it now. More >>
Research Paper Calls For Boosts To Tairāwhiti’s Coastal Shipping, Airport Investment
Monday, 2 November 2026, 11:44 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
With rail unlikely to be restored to Gisborne and deteriorating wharves limiting coastal shipping, State Highway 35 remained the primary transport and supply link for the East Coast. More >>
Masterton Counts The Cost Of Increasing Official Information Requests
Saturday, 31 October 2026, 5:38 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, councils must make information it holds public upon request, unless there was a compelling legal reason to withhold it. More >>
