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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 15]
'Choices And Trade-Offs': Whanganui Faces Tough Decisions Under Rates Cap
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:14 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
“It’s always a difficult balance between keeping rates affordable, maintaining the services our community values and continuing to invest in the basics – particularly our infrastructure,” says Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe. More >>
The Cost Of Auckland's Sticker Vandalism Revealed
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:10 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Parks and community facilities head of operations Julie Pickering said council’s graffiti removal teams regularly remove stickers and posters, illegally placed on assets. More >>
Cash Injection Needed For Canterbury's Public Transport Future
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:10 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Urban ratepayers may have to choose between lower rates or better public transport. More >>
Taupō Council Works To Protect Electricity Fund Against Amalgamations
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:07 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Models in neighbouring districts that protect assets from local government reform include South Waikato District Council’s South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (Swift). More >>
Council Backtracks On Dannevirke Deer Park Closure
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:06 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Council facilities manager Fontayne Chase said the community’s efforts weren’t simply about retaining deer but about keeping a “long-standing local amenity” while keeping costs from ratepayers. More >>
West Coast Regional Council 'Inept': Buller District Councillor
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Regional councillors on Tuesday decided to consult Westport residents on a more costly scheme offering less flood protection, after staff recommended a reset under two options. More >>
‘It Has Become A Vendetta’: Bid For Probe Into $70m Projects Voted Down
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 3:59 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
A councillor wants to know how the golf course and reserve projects got into the plan. More >>
New Plymouth Weighs Rates Caps As Low As Two Percent
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:27 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The recommendations from staff come in the same week the Government announced it intends imposing a 4 percent rates cap on councils from 2029. More >>
Shane Jones Asks Government To Pause Costly West Coast Plan
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:24 am | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
RMA Reform Chris Bishop confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting he had received Jones’ correspondence. More >>
Volunteers Help Police Tackle Crime On Papatoetoe Streets After Hours
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:17 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Members of the Counties Manukau Community Safety Patrol Trust work into the early hours, observing and reporting incidents in an area where a senior Police officer says crime is high but staffing is low. More >>
Porirua Leaders Eye Australia Trip For Inaugural Trans-Tasman Mayoral Cup
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:14 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The delegation would accompany 36 players across two age group teams at Kenepuru-based Olé Football Academy, who would play six matches against sides of the Blacktown District Football Association. More >>
Tongariro Trout Centre Seeks Volunteers To Keep Afloat
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:11 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Newly appointed manager Clint Green told Local Democracy Reporting the centre was in desperate need of funding, volunteers and visitors. More >>
South Auckland Bottle Store Appeals Closure Decision
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 9:05 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The off-licence store, located in the Ōtara Town Centre, failed to renew its liquor licence after the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC) decided that closing it down would noticeably improve the area’s amenity and good order. More >>
Rotorua Airport’s 20-Year Business Park Plan Might Finally Take Off
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 8:53 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
If approved, the development is expected to attract investment and new jobs. More >>
Mackenzie Mayor 'Extremely Disappointed' By National’s Bed Tax Backtrack
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 8:44 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Sunday that National would not campaign on any new taxes ahead of the election, arguing a bed tax would hurt everyday people. More >>
Heavy Traffic Dilemma: Gisborne Council Investigates Rerouting Trucks
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 8:19 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Gisborne District Council confirmed it is seeking NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) funding to collect data on heavy vehicle movement in the region to assess whether rerouting heavy goods vehicles would be feasible. More >>
Rates Cap Will Put Squeeze On Community Groups, Facilities - Marlborough Deputy Mayor
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:22 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The cap was originally proposed in December to help bring down household’s already stretched cost of living expenses. More >>
Hart Secures Wairarapa Seat On Regional Council
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:19 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Candidate Alistair Plimmer received the most first preference votes but did not secure enough for a majority, and candidate Colin Olds was the ultimate runner-up. More >>
Palestinian Group Makes Second Bid For Change At Invercargill Council
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:15 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa formally presented 270 signatures to Invercargill City Council on Tuesday, asking it to boycott companies connected to “illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land”. More >>
Wainui Coastal Adaptation Plan Put On Hold
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5:11 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council gained community feedback last year to produce updated plans meant to be outlined last June, according to the council website. More >>
