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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 22]
Wellington Jumps Aboard Tax-Free Public Transport Fares
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:49 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Greater Wellington regional councillor Ros Connelly, chairperson of the public transport committee, said anything that made travel more affordable was a good idea. More >>
Picton Cruise Ship Bookings Up 23% After A Tough Few Years
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:45 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
While Port Marlborough and Destination Marlborough wanted to promote Picton as a cruise destination, they did not want to strain resources with over-tourism, instead seeking a “nice balance”. More >>
Principal: NCEA Replacement Is A Return To 'The 1980s'
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury schools have expressed mixed views about school qualifications changes and support, following last month's Budget. More >>
Kaikōura Fears Losing Representation As Merger Looms
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:35 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is seeking community feedback on options for its political future, as part of the local government reforms. More >>
North Canterbury Council Eyes $2 Million Windfall
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:21 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils are expecting a boost from the Government's "Incentives for Growth Fund". More >>
Funding Renewed To Feed Vulnerable North Canterbury Families
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:16 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black is thrilled funding has been secured for North Canterbury food rescue charity, Satisfy Food Rescue, for another year. More >>
Highway Crash Hot Spot: Locals Plead With Drivers To Report Accidents
Friday, 12 June 2026, 5:11 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Bay of Plenty locals say they're seeing too many crashes on a stretch of highway between Paerata Ridge and Appleton Road, near Ōpōtiki. More >>
Unelected Voting Rights Change Puts Rotorua Iwi Representation In The Spotlight
Friday, 12 June 2026, 10:07 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The impact of the latest local government reform announcement is unclear in Rotorua. More >>
Lower Hutt Among Five Cities In Global Climate Risk Initiative
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 2:56 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
June 11, 2026 Wellington, Wairarapa Lower Hutt is one of five cities around the world picked for a global climate project to help vulnerable people respond to extreme climate risks. The Hutt City Council will be teaming up with the Lower ... More >>
Embattled Nelson Councillor Keeps Her Seat
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 2:38 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Lisa Austin will remain a councillor after Nelson City Council decided against declaring her seat vacant and holding a by-election amid questions on her eligibility and financial interests. More >>
Will The Cameras Keep Rolling? Waikato Screen Chases Funding To Survive 50% Cut
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 10:46 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
To ensure fair funding among all nine Waikato councils, Waikato Screen proposed a hybrid model that sees every council giving the same 'base' amount ($20,000). More >>
Power Prices Could Jump On Stewart Island – Again
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 10:33 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
District councillor and community board appointee Jon Spraggon said even a $0.04 increase could affect people on a budget, acknowledging it was a “bad time of year” heading into Winter. More >>
Youth, Elderly Among ‘Collateral Damage’ Of Voting Rights Change - Mayor
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 9:52 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government Minister Simon Watts last week announced a last-minute change to the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill, restricting voting rights on council committees to elected members only. More >>
Kaikōura Locals Unite For 'Magical Stretch' Of Whale Trail
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 9:45 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Community support has secured the extra funding needed to build three cycle / food bridges on the Kaikōura section of The Whale Trail. More >>
No Windfall For Kaikōura From Budget
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 9:40 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is not expecting a big financial windfall, following last month's Budget announcement. More >>
Storm Recovery Expected To Cost $28.6m In Western Bay
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 9:29 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has released its recovery plan, aiming to guide the next phase of this work and better prepare for future severe weather events. More >>
Plan To Save Closed Lower Hutt Conservatory Falls Through
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 8:32 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
A council spokesperson said the observatory would be knocked down and replaced with “low-maintenance”, “low-cost” landscape features. More >>
‘Potentially Devastating’: Fast-Track Bid Sparks Fears For Lake Pukaki
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 8:26 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The proposal, filed in April, sought access to Lake Pukaki’s contingent storage, drawing water up to five metres below its permitted level over three years. More >>
Invercargill Pump Station Issues Discussed In Private
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 8:20 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
On 27 May, Environment Southland went behind closed doors at a committee meeting to discuss “issues and associated resolution actions” relating to the Stead Street Pump Station. More >>
'We Need To Make Sure We Have A Strong Voice': Amber Craig Joins Wairarapa Race For GWRC
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 7:50 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Amber Craig, of Kahungunu, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, Muaūpoko, and Ngāi Tara descent, was persuaded to stand by her whanau and other community members. More >>
