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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 2]
Fewer Auckland Bottle Shops Being Robbed: Report
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 1:59 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor and chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee Josephine Bartley said data from the report was extremely encouraging. More >>
Crunch Time On Whether To Save Or Scrap Ōhope Beach Walking Track
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 12:59 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The track between West End and Ōtarawairere, part of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, has been closed by Whakatāne District Council, pending a decision on whether to reinstate it. More >>
Mayor Tanczos Questions 'destructive' Scrapping Of Council-Iwi Agreements
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 12:22 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
"Why on earth would the Government want to throw those on the scrapheap? I don't understand what they think they're gaining from it," asks Whakatāne Mayor Nandor Tanczos. More >>
Rotorua Councillors Admit Pensioner Housing Failures
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:31 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Community housing provider Emerge Aotearoa took over management of Rotorua Lakes Council’s 152-unit pensioner housing portfolio in March, following a lengthy review of the way the service was operated. More >>
Dog Owners Push Back As Bay Councils Hike Registration Costs Again
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:26 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Western Bay of Plenty District Council dog registration fees for the 2026/27 year are $154 for a non-neutered dog. More >>
The Disability Housing Lifeline For Kiwis - Paid For Offshore
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:19 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The new co-living housing development pilot with a blend of independence and care has recently broken ground in Paeroa. More >>
Disappointment And Shock As Govt Strikes Out Iwi-Council Deals
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:15 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The Government’s draft laws to replace the RMA had said Mana Whakahono would transfer into the new resource management system. More >>
'Dispirited And Demoralised': Scrapping Iwi-Council Agreements ‘Another Blow’ For Māori
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:10 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi chair Tomairangi Mareikura said the move undermined years of collaborative work between iwi and local councils and was a significant setback for Treaty relationships. More >>
Facial Recognition Cameras Urged For Whangārei City Centre
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 10:04 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Whangārei city centre already has an extensive public CCTV network, with more than 200 cameras monitoring public spaces including the central business district and Town Basin. More >>
Bottle Shop Blamed By Police For Ōtara's Public Drinking Denied Liquor Licence
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 5:35 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Delbet said the DLC regarded the removal a children’s playground near the bottle shop was compelling objective evidence that amenity and good order of the locality was affected. More >>
Canterbury's Community Vehicles Deliver 'Significant' Social Value - Review
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 4:38 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Canterbury Regional Council has completed a review of the region's 17 community vehicle trusts. More >>
Southern Council Warns Of ‘Tipping Point’ For Building Consent Costs
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 4:35 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill City Council's manager compliance and enforcement Sam Patton revealed on Tuesday her team was down multiple personnel and relying on help from another team to hit its KPIs. More >>
Pegasus Community Centre To Open In October
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 4:17 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Pegasus Community Centre is on track to open in October, much to the relief of local residents. More >>
Strong Support For Community Bid To Save Ashburton Hall
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 4:14 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Around 40 people attended a public meeting called by the Rotary Club of Ashburton last week to discuss whether the community could retain ownership of the Tancred Street hall. More >>
Tapawera School Bus Route Changes A ‘Kick In The Guts’
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 4:09 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Federated Farmers say the changes disadvantaged rural families, though the Ministry of Education say more children have benefitted. More >>
Whale Of A Time In Kaikōura As Twice-Postponed Festival Set To Go Ahead
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 3:30 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura Whale Festival organisers are hoping for better luck on Sunday, after recent rough weather. More >>
Wairarapa Candidates In Wellington Regional Council By-Election Talk Local Advocacy
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 5:24 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Michael Birch Wairarapa needs a councillor who can build support around the council table, not just complain from the sidelines. More >>
Masterton Council Targets Illegal Pipework On Private Properties To Fix Wastewater Overflows
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 5:01 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The community rightly expects council to maintain reliable infrastructure, and we take that responsibility seriously. More >>
West Coast Council Holds Off On Climate Adaptation Plan
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 3:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament last Wednesday, requires councils to plan for climate change 30 years into the future and include the costs for it. More >>
'Waste Of Money': Resident Fights Tauranga’s $2.5m Road Proposal
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 2:57 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Welcome Bay resident Robert Coe believed the $2.55 million plans were a “waste of money”. More >>
