Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.

Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 2]

Auckland Bottle Shop Keeps Licence Despite Three Failed Alcohol Sale Tests

Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:02 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Black Bull Liquor Everglade in Goodwood Heights applied for a renewal of its off-licence at its South Auckland store in April last year. More >>

Dioxin Disturbance At Former Whakatāne Sawmill Sparks Health Concerns

Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:58 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (Swap) chairman Kereama Akuhata said the society and some nearby residents had serious community health concerns about the work on the historic sawmill site. More >>

Mackenzie Names Preferred Council Partners As Deadline Looms

Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:53 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter

Oosthuizen proposed four amalgamation models, with combinations of Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru, Waitaki, and Ashburton. More >>

Ashburton And Selwyn Lock In Rate Rises

Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:47 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Selwyn's plan included an average 4.5% rates increase - down from a forecast 13.3% rise in the long-term plan after the council made cost cutting efforts. More >>

Should Nelson Help Fund A Tasman Pool?

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:59 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

A workshop about Tasman's community facilities saw several councillors support a suggestion that Nelson City Council should contribute to the pool. More >>

‘We Need To Protect Our Kids’ – Tasman Proposes School Rule For Bottle Stores

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:57 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

A controversial bottle store application opposite a Tasman school three years ago has sparked a proposed new bottle shop regulation, but the school board's presiding member wants stricter rules. More >>

Horizons Agrees To Further Rates Increase On Final Day Of Financial Year

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:55 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter

Horizons regional council requires an extra $4.2m or 5.9% from ratepayers for the incoming financial year. More >>

Deals With Iwi Get Tick From Taranaki Council

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:53 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting

TRC's chair Craig Williamson and his deputy Bonita Bigham say the deals help lock-in cooperation with Ngāti Maru on the taiao. (Te Korimako o Taranaki) More >>

Hurunui Councillors Cutting It Close With Merger Proposal Decision

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Hurunui District Council is divided between forming a North Canterbury unitary council or a rural Canterbury combination. More >>

Masterton Rates Increase Lower Than Projected As Council Adopts Stretched But Doable Annual Plan

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 5:27 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

The increase was down from the 6.5% initially signalled in Masterton District Council's long-term plan, and lower again from the 5.2% it consulted on earlier this year. More >>

Four Roads To Reform: South Waikato Seeks Public Say On Council Future

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:41 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter

The options were discussed at the South Waikato District meeting held on June 25. Local councils have until August 9 to tell central government who they want to partner up with. More >>

'It Could Lead To A Larger Increase': Mayor Warns Of Next Year's Rates Risk

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:31 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer said in Thursday’s meeting he had “lingering concerns” about his district’s rates increase being “much lower” than previously expected. More >>

Porirua By-Election Set For October 16

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:10 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

Nominations open July 9 and close at 12pm on August 6. Voting begins through postal on September 14 and runs until October 16. More >>

Selwyn Huts Locals Celebrate 'Right To Live Peacefully In Homes'

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:04 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The threat of eviction was due to the lack of a sustainable, compliant wastewater system and the rising climate change and flood risks from Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. More >>

Who Actually Cares? Hamilton People On Council Amalgamation

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 3:18 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

Everyday Hamiltonians shared their thoughts on local council amalgamation. More >>

ACT Candidate Resigns After Chinese Political Group Link Revealed

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 3:01 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter

An ACT candidate has withdrawn from a new Wellington electorate race at November’s election, after failing to declare her previous membership of a Chinese political group linked to the country’s ruling communist party. After Local Democracy Reporting ... More >>