Local Democracy Reporting

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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 18]

Ashburton Farmers Market Has No Plans To Move

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:53 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Farmers Market chairperson Brad Raukawa questioned what benefit such a move would have for either the market or the CBD. More >>

Canterbury Merger Plans Remain Uncertain

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:49 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Ashburton received no clear amalgamation direction from its community, and its neighbours Selwyn and Timaru are still looking at their preferred options. More >>

Community Meeting Called To Save Ashburton Sports Hall

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:46 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The council considered an options report behind closed doors in May and decided to put it on the open market. More >>

Tararua Mayor Now ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Council Reforms

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:39 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter

Gilmore said there were ongoing concerns around “communities being dictated to” through the three-month deadline set under Head Start. More >>

'A Gift We Can Leave Each Other': New Book To Help Navigate Conversations Around Dying

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:35 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

He Aroha Te Aroha, by Whanganui writer Julie Herewini, is designed to encourage families to have important conversations about end-of-life wishes before they are needed. More >>

Jobs Programme Future Uncertain - Kaikōura Mayor

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:07 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle is waiting for more details, after the Ministry of Social Development confirmed funding has been secured for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme for 12 months, but provided no details on much Kaikōura will receive. More >>

North Canterbury's 'Vital' Community-Owned Rural Health Centre Expanding

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 5:04 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

North Canterbury's community owned Waikari Health Centre is expanding to offer more services and more opportunities for medical students. More >>

Eastern Bay Councils Choose To ‘Be At The Table’ In Amalgamation Talks

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:59 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Ōpōtiki district councillor Barry Howe was the most candid in his objections, describing the options put before council as “blackmail”. More >>

Questions Loom Over How To Divvy Quayside Dividend

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:52 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

The Eastern Bay has a huge geographic area, with a significant amount of biodiversity potential, not only in the whenua but also in the moana. More >>

Waihī To Get New Pedestrian Island Without NZTA’s Help

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:46 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

The island creates a resting point for those crossing State Highway 25 on a stretch of road used by about 3700 vehicles a day, a Hauraki District Council agenda read. More >>

Southland Preparing For El Niño Weather

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:40 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

The council report said Southland's cumulative rainfall for 2026 was at 81% of the long-term average and the region’s aquifers would benefit from more. More >>

Hurunui To Notify Climate Solution Plan Change

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 4:35 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Hurunui District Council will notify a plan change next week to allow it to rezone farmland south of Amberley, so it can plan for the future relocation of Amberley Beach. More >>

Taranaki Puanga Celebrations Centre On Stratford, Hāwera

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:17 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting

On Thursday evening Puanganui-o-te-Rangi returns with performances and activitiesin Stratford War Memorial Hall, thanks to a joint effort by Ngāruahine Iwi Health Services and Stratford District Council. More >>

Combined Council Wages Reach $33m Across Wairarapa

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:12 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa district councils signed off the wage costs in their 2026/27 annual plans, which included the payments made to elected members whose pay was set by the Remuneration Authority. More >>

Carterton Council In Stoush With Contractor For $1.8m

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 10:07 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

The recently-released council documents showed the council still intended to recover costs from CHBE, despite “legal risks in recovering compensation”. More >>

New North Canterbury School 'Only A Matter Of Time' Amidst Population Boom

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 9:55 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Population growth in Amberley, Woodend and east Rangiora is raising questions about whether more primary schools and even a secondary school are needed. More >>

Wait Continues For Clarence Valley Farmers

Thursday, 9 July 2026, 9:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Kaikōura District Council has been continuing to work on solutions to road access for Clarence Valley property owners, after Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency pulled the funding for a bridge to replace a bridge destroyed in an earthquake in 2016. More >>

Local Democracy Reporting