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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 165]
Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Thursday, 2 May 2024, 3:04 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995, making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor. Carterton’s Deputy Mayor Dale Williams said he was “disgusted” by the comments his council had received regarding a ... More >>
Mount Maunganui’s Poor Air Quality Forces Rethink Of Industrial Sites
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 5:15 pm | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Commission chair Anne Tolley said there was a “critical need” to find alternate sites for businesses that emit pollutants in the Mount Maunganui industrial area. A council-initiated review found modelling for PM10 contributed to an estimated 13 ... More >>
Former Northland Councillor Says Māori Wards Fine – If Polls Held
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 5:09 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Northland was the first region in New Zealand to have all its councils introduce wards. Forty-two local government politicians led Northland’s four councils, which brought in the region’s first Māori wards in 2022. More >>
Seal Of Approval For Bike Skills Park Concept
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 4:59 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The concept plans for the learn-to-ride cycling facility in the Ashburton Domain were approved by the Ashburton District Council on Wednesday. The design is estimated to cost around $454,000 to build and the working group is optimistic about raising ... More >>
‘How Has InfraCore Made It Through This Far?’: CCO Boss Explains $1m Deficit
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 4:21 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua Lakes Council-controlled business InfraCore has a $1 million deficit amid struggles to complete projects and an aging vehicle fleet needing replacement. More >>
‘Monumental’: Funding Secured To Fix And Reopen Rotorua Museum
Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 5:30 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Construction to reopen Rotorua’s iconic museum will begin in June as the council secures the final funding needed and brings down the total cost. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa closed due to earthquake risk in 2016. Restoring it was initially ... More >>
Carterton Representation Review Progressing
Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 5:27 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton District Council [CDC] is currently reviewing whether its representation arrangement of eight councillors and a mayor is fit-for-purpose. Three options have been chosen to go to the public for feedback in May. More >>
Council Body Makes Billion Dollar Rates Plea
Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 4:20 pm | David Reid - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils could be in line for a billion dollar boost each year should the government agree to return GST on rates. Of the 78 local authorities representing Aotearoa, many are hiking rates to tackle their growing debt pile. The average rise for homeowners ... More >>
Auckland’s Raised Crossings Ditched For New Approach After Criticism
Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 4:17 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland pedestrians will get flashing ground lights, traffic islands and other road safety measures to replace the heavily criticised raised pedestrian crossings on roads. More >>
Dog Owners Unlikely To Face Fee Rise
Monday, 29 April 2024, 5:09 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton District Council staff have proposed no rise in dog registration fees for the upcoming financial year. Urban entire dogs would continue to cost $110, urban neutered $85, and over 65 canine companion $75. Rural dogs would cost $75 per dog ... More >>
Families Opt For Kiwisaver Cashouts, Cut Back On Food As Living Costs Soar
Monday, 29 April 2024, 5:06 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Stats NZ data released today [Monday] showed household costs went up 6.2 per cent in the last year. Families are cutting back on essentials and withdrawing their KiwiSaver funds as they struggle with the rising cost of living, an Auckland budgeting service ... More >>
Digital Switch For Ashburton’s Youth Voice
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:08 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said the new digital engagement tool was launched in February. “An online ‘youth hub’ was established, a digital space for young people to discuss local issues with other ... More >>
Georgina Beyer Statue To Be Discussed By Carterton Council
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:05 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A memorial sculpture of the late Georgina Beyer will be discussed by Carterton councillors next week.Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995, making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor. She later became the world’s ... More >>
Airing Out Carterton’s Wastewater To Avoid Stench
Monday, 29 April 2024, 4:03 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A breath of fresh air has arrived in Carterton, thanks to a new aerator at the council’s wastewater treatment plant. All three of the council’s aerators were out of action last month, causing an unpleasant stench. More >>
Long-term Plan: South Aucklanders Share What’s Important
Monday, 29 April 2024, 3:59 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Month-long public submissions on Auckland Council's LTP came to an end in March, where Aucklanders were asked to have their say on options and trade-offs of activities and services delivery for Auckland over the next decade. More than 22,000 individuals ... More >>
NZ Army Chief Promises To Lead Marlborough Council With Same Energy
Friday, 26 April 2024, 5:03 pm | Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter
John Boswell has thought “long and hard” about his new job. He knows that chief executive of Marlborough council is “clearly one that matters”. Boswell, who’s held the position of Chief of Army since 2018, has promised to bring the same “energy, ... More >>
West Coast Visitor Approach Should Be Smarter — DOC Boss
Friday, 26 April 2024, 5:01 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coasters "love their environment" but the region can be smarter in attracting tourists for longer stays by utilising the outstanding natural environment, the retiring DOC boss for the region says. The DOC estate contributes 45% of the region's GDP ... More >>
Walkway Opens To ‘magnificent’ Rimu Te Mānawanui
Friday, 26 April 2024, 4:59 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
The public can now view a massive rimu, at least 1000 years old, discovered almost by accident in South Westland. This week the tree has been formally recognised as the largest known rimu in the South Island, with public access to the site opening ... More >>
Northland Council Continues Four-year Māori Ward Fight In Face Of Government Changes
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 3:59 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Northland council that played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed is now lobbying against Government plans to reinstate binding referendums. It plans to write to Local Government Minister Simeon Brown expressing concern over his signalled ... More >>
Ruawai Leader Slams Kaipara Council In Battle Over $400k Property
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 3:56 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaipara District Council (KDC) earlier this month rescinded its December decision that sale proceeds from a $400,000 residential property could be returned to the Raupo drainage committee. When the 16 Ruawai Wharf Rd property sells, the sale proceeds ... More >>
