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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 25]
Drivers Keep Breaching Beach Ban On Marlborough’s East Coast
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:23 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council unanimously voted on Thursday to publicly consult on whether to review the East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw, and whether the review should cover the whole bylaw or target specific sections. More >>
Whakatāne Bus Station Getting Nearly $850,000 Restroom Upgrade
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:10 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The funding is being administered through Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which applied for the funding on the district council’s behalf. More >>
Tasman’s Rates Increase More Than Double Nelson’s
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:06 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Tasman will see a 9.9% increase, while Nelson agreed to a 4.7% increase. The commentary from the two councils' elected members was markedly different. More >>
Value For Money Top Priority For Council Merger, Masterton Survey Shows
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:54 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton District Council’s recent Future of Local Government Survey drew 559 submissions, of which 80.5% were in favour of a Wairarapa option - 11.5% preferred a wider Wellington model. More >>
Rates Rage: South Waikato Council Votes For Rise
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:49 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The rates vote comes after South Waikato District Council reported to its ratepayers a year-to-date net operating surplus of $189k, besting its budgeted deficit of $3.11m by more than $3 million. More >>
Wheel Of Time: Heritage Restored At Lincoln's Historic Mill Site
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:43 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council and the historical society have been hunting for anyone who may have old photos of Moffat’s Mill, as they do not have one in their collections. More >>
Pacific Chefs Celebrate Recognition But There's More 'Talent To Shine'
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:38 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Pacific food business owners say they welcome recognition through the Auckland Iconic Eats programme, but more South Auckland and Pacific food stories deserve a place on the city's culinary stage. More >>
Controversial Councillor Zed Latinovic Booted Off Committee
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:30 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
At Thursday’s council meeting, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said in addition to the imposed censorship, Latinovic’s membership on the Local Services Committee would be suspended effective immediately. More >>
Tauranga Mayor, Councillors To Visit China For Yantai Sister City Milestone
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:20 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, and Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor would join a wider delegation from Tauranga. More >>
Rotorua State Highway 30 Intersection Upgrade Stalls As NZTA, Council Clash Over Funding
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:04 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
NZTA and Rotorua Lakes Council disagree on which of them should pay for the SH30 upgrade. More >>
Government Chips In For First Ngāmotu Marae In Two Centuries
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:58 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Māori development minister Tama Potaka announced the funding in Waitara on Saturday at the annual Te Rā o Tā Māui Pōmare (Sir Māui Pōmare Day) at Ōwae marae. More >>
Whangārei Hapū Blast Council's Rejection Of Partnership Deal
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:38 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Whangārei District Council (WDC) councillors voted 10-4 to adopt an eleventh-hour recommendation confirming the council would not initiate a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWaR) agreement process. More >>
Tahr Out That’s Gross: Dead Animal Crammed In Public Rubbish Bin
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:08 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council infrastructure group manager Neil McCann said the incident was reported to the council as illegal dumping via the Snap Send Solve app on Monday. More >>
Primed For Progress: Masterton Town Hall Feasibility Study Underway
Monday, 29 June 2026, 2:04 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A feasibility study was currently underway to determine if a town hall facility could be built within the total $25 million project budget that meets the agreed requirements. More >>
Southern Regional Council Testing Merger Options Despite Inability To Submit
Monday, 29 June 2026, 1:59 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Southland announced this week it had made a financial model which would test costs, savings and financial implications of different scenarios in the face of sweeping Government reform. More >>
Merger Dilemma: Council Staff Working On Reforms That Could Cost Them Their Jobs
Monday, 29 June 2026, 1:51 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach says the Government’s reform has “definitely created a degree of uncertainty for staff at all levels of the organisation”. More >>
Trust 'Very Disappointed' After Losing Māngere Markets Licence
Friday, 26 June 2026, 6:22 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The change followed a 2025 decision by the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board to undertake an expression of interest (EOI) process to find a new market operator. More >>
Ahluwalia Returns To Board After SFO Referral
Friday, 26 June 2026, 6:18 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Board chair Heather Andrew confirmed Ahluwalia had resumed participating in workshops and business meetings. More >>
Rangitīkei Rates Increase Kept Below 10% Forecast
Friday, 26 June 2026, 6:15 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
A public hearing was held in May to offer 13 residents the opportunity to speak on the annual plan and alongside the 48 community submissions the district council had been sent before the end of April. More >>
Marlborough To Discuss Merging With Kaikōura As Reform Deadline Looms
Friday, 26 June 2026, 6:11 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The Head Start pathway announced in May gave councils three months to present their amalgamation proposals, or else take the Backstop pathway in 2027 which could lead to the government deciding on amalgamations for them. More >>
