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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 21]
Carterton Hopes To Turn Sunshine Into Savings
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:51 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The work comes after the council invested $440,000 of government funding into building a small-scale solar farm on Gallon Rd to power its wastewater treatment site in 2024. More >>
Gisborne District Council Seeks Independent Review Into Forestry Systems
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:47 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Barrister Chris Finlayson, a former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and arbitrator (counsel in commercial and industry disputes), will chair the review panel. More >>
Solar On Schools In Line With Kaikōura's Dark Sky Status - Principal
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:44 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Two Kaikōura schools have been listed as being eligible for the Government's $30m solar on schools programme. More >>
Far North Councillor's Parliamentary Bid May Force $100k By-Election
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:22 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
An Act Party spokesperson confirmed Smolders had been selected as a list candidate and had informed the Far North District Council (FNDC) of her intentions. More >>
Details Of Bids To Help Struggling Fiordland Airport Kept Under Wraps
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:08 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Democracy Reporting then contacted Great South, which said it was contracting itself to the council and was subject to a non-disclosure agreement. More >>
Rangatahi Given The Final Say On $120,000 In Auckland Funding
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Participatory budgeting differs from traditional consultation by giving communities a direct role in deciding how funding is allocated, rather than simply providing feedback. More >>
'Old Tyres On A New Car': Waterways Asphalt Battle Lost
Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:28 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The committee voted unanimously to chip seal the road. Councillor Gavin Dennis, who moved the option, said he could "appreciate a lot of people would like to have asphalt". More >>
Ngāti Awa Kāinga Māori Up For Prestigious Award
Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:15 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Tūkōkeke Kāinga Māori was opened in March last year with 15 new homes, arranged in a supportive village environment next to the social and health services' offices. More >>
'Highway Robbery': South Island Leaders Demand Fairer Transport Funding
Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:05 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
South Island local government leaders have been lobbying Government for a fair share of transport funding. More >>
Tauranga Council Hears Calls For Mandatory Cat Microchipping, Desexing
Friday, 14 August 2026, 9:00 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Predator Free NZ Trust spokesman David Lewis said the trust backed mandatory microchipping & desexing, limiting how many cats a person could own, restrictions on feeding stray cat colonies & council advocacy for national cat-management legislation. More >>
Improved Water Meter Data Helps Masterton Plug Leaks
Friday, 14 August 2026, 8:55 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
“It has given residents a better understanding of how water meters work and how they can use the information to monitor their own consumption," says Council’s infrastructure group manager, Tyler Ross. More >>
Ohakune Residents Still Boiling Drinking Water As Town Enters ‘Recovery Mode’
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:10 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Civil defence controller Vini Dutra said three consecutive days of clear test results are required before the boil water notice can be lifted. More >>
Former Porirua Councillor Tracy Johnson Dies
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:06 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
“She gave a great deal to Porirua and to the people around her. Our city is now missing one of its shining stars,” said Mayor Anita Baker More >>
Councillor Takes Aim At West Coast's Combined Plan
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 7:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Both Cummings and Birchfield have previously criticised the council for hiring consultants from the North Island to process consent applications, leading to longer waiting times. More >>
Paid Sunday Parking Could Undermine Hamilton CBD’s Two Hours Free, Say Business Owners
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 6:53 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
"They should be encouraging people to come to the CBD... when you look at how many empty shops there are around, it's not easy making a living in the CBD so they turn around & just make it harder," says vintage store Fossick’s co-owner John Needham. More >>
Mayors Slam ‘Pointless’, Costly Reviews That’ll Be Voided By Council Mergers
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:44 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Matamata-Piako District Council Mayor Ash Tanner agreed with his counterpart Bech, questioning whether central Government “even have a grasp on what we actually do”. More >>
NRC Explores How AI Could Boost Council Services And Decision-Making
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:37 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The project involves working with an AI consultancy to map and assess current business processes, identify inefficiencies, and determine where artificial intelligence tools could add value. More >>
‘Game-Changer' Thermal Drones Uncover Threatened Whio In Tongariro River
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:32 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The technology had the immediate advantage of making it safer and less time-consuming to monitor the taonga species in high-risk and often remote rivers and streams. More >>
Kaikōura's Three Seats 'Not Tenable Long-term' - Marlborough Councillor
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:27 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor John Hyndman said while he was happy for Kaikōura to have three councillors for now, it was “not tenable long-term”. “8% of the population can't have 17.5% of the voting power. I think we've got to sort this out before mid 2030,” he said. More >>
ECan Report Card Described As 'Stellar'
Thursday, 13 August 2026, 3:21 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury staff have updated councillors on the progress of council's 2025/26 annual report. More >>
