Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 17]

Ōpōtiki Māori Ward Councillor Plans To Make People The Core Business Of Council

Thursday, 16 October 2025, 5:34 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

As one of the new Ōpōtiki Māori ward’s first councillors elect, she can’t wait to get into the mahi of council work. More >>

A Zero Rate Rise - What Would It Look Like?

Thursday, 16 October 2025, 5:04 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said he could deliver a zero rate rise, but you might not like it. More >>

Fears Benefit Changes Will Impact Youth Job Programme

Thursday, 16 October 2025, 5:00 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Two Canterbury mayors worry that changes to youth benefit rules will impact their rural employment scheme. More >>

Committee Halts New Liquor Store For Rotorua CBD After More Than 700 Objections

Thursday, 16 October 2025, 4:56 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter

Application for ninth Rotorua CBD liquor off-license rejected after 700 objections. More >>

Ashburton’s New Councillors All Set For Action

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:24 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

After the start of the induction process this week, Ashburton’s four new councillors will be off to Local Government NZ's session for new councillors in Christchurch on October 24. The new council will be sworn in on October 29. More >>

Returning ECan Councillor Dismisses Nitrate Emergency

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:20 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The new council is walking into a nitrate emergency declared by the last council, in a 9 to 7 vote. In the declaration, ECan committed to urgently addressing the issue of groundwater pollution which impacted drinking water sources and supplies. More >>

What’s Next For Masterton Town Hall Site?

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:16 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

As decided by a majority vote, the total budget for demolition, an activation plan, and a new building was $25 million. Construction company Rider Levett Bucknall was awarded the contract for a quantity surveyor for the project in July. More >>

Greytown Wheels Park Almost Ready To Roll

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:14 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

The Greytown Wheels Park group which has been pushing the project along for more than a decade, was looking for a team of enthusiastic locals to come on board and keep the momentum going with the next stages of the project. More >>

Locals Upset At Southland Lagoon Decision

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:11 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

High water levels and algae outbreaks have caused problems for the lagoon, which forms part of an internationally significant wetland southeast of Invercargill. More >>

Kuru Ketu Brings Rangatahi Perspective To Ruapehu District Council

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 5:04 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

The 32-year-old environmental consultant, who lives in Matapuna, Taumarunui, says he is determined to make good on the mandate Māori voters have given him. More >>

Auckland Councillors Share Their Top Priorities

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:50 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Local Democracy Reporting spoke to some of the winners about how they felt about the win, and their priorities for the next term. More >>

Waimakariri Council Boss Pushes Back At Debt Criticism

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward says it has been a frustrating experience watching candidates misrepresent the council's debt levels. More >>

Whangārei Heads Community Tops District's Voter Turnout

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:37 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter

Whangārei Heads Citizens Association deputy chair Jan Boyes said she was not surprised with the top district turnout. More >>

Former Deputy Mayor's Re-Election Highlights Pasifika's Rural Reach

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:32 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

Growing Pacific population in the South While Pacific people remain a small proportion of Waitaki’s population, the community is growing rapidly and reshaping the district’s identity. More >>

Boaties Welcome Dredging Of Sediment-Laden Havelock Marina

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:25 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

Port Marlborough planned to dredge and deepen the Havelock channel and marina basin, and replace three old wooden jetties with new concrete ones. More >>

Selwyn's Big Shake-Up: What's Planned For The Fastest Growing District?

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:20 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The district's new mayor is promising the next rate rise will be a single digit. More >>

Whanganui Elects First Māori Ward Councillors As Voters Signal Support For Seats

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:17 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Whanganui’s first Māori ward councillors, Geoff Hipango and Julie Herewini, say their election marks both a milestone for local democracy and a call to strengthen Māori participation in local government. The pair were elected from a field of five ... More >>