Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
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 26]
Bomb Threat, Assaults, Weapons: What Frontline City Staff Face
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:23 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
In five years, Rotorua Lakes Council staff have reported more than 150 incidents of abuse. More >>
Hawke's Bay Sports Facility Plans 8.5ha Expansion, With Parking Top Priority
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:18 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Plans are underway to add 8.5 hectares to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park, now known as Mitre 10 Park - with the park’s trust developing its 10-year masterplan. More >>
Featherston Candidates Set Sights On Delivering Results
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:14 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Peter Biggs A key problem for Featherston Paetūmōkai is the lack of a clear direction, meaning that planning for the town has been ad hoc and short-term. More >>
Wellington Zoo Asking For $14m For Lion Enclosure Upgrade
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:11 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The zoo’s chief executive Dr Meg Rutledge, who started the job in June, said during a council workshop last week the matter was “the most urgent and highest priority”. More >>
Why Hastings Is Losing Its Splash Of Flower Power
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:07 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The baskets have been part of the Hastings streetscape for more than 25 years and are usually installed in spring. More >>
Northland Emergency Workshop Equips Older People With Practical Advice
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 9:04 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The two-hour workshop, held at Whangārei central library in late July, was organised by Whangārei District Council (WDC) and involved Northland Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Hato Hone St John. More >>
New Pacific Memories Pou Stands In Tokoroa Talking Pole Forest
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 8:06 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
A new Pacific Memories Pou was recently installed at the Tokoroa Talking Pole Forest on Leith Place. More >>
Dream Of Rebuilding Flood-Damaged Marae Becomes Reality
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 7:57 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
After years of discussions and planning, Ngāti Wahia hapū (of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki iwi) are a major step closer to the rebuild of their relocated Rangatira Marae. More >>
Repairing Historic Tararua Bridge Costs More Than Replacement
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 6:07 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Assessments were underway to weigh up the costs and benefits of each option and the risks of retaining the nearly century old bridge. More >>
Unity Crucial In Council Upheavals, Say Māori Staff
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:37 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Taituarā – the organisation for local government officers – meets in New Plymouth this week and Māori council workers arrived early to get their programme underway. More >>
Wairarapa Briefs: Waiti Waters, Road Closure, GWRC Meeting
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Elected and appointed members would discuss the council’s 2027 Regional Land Transport Plan for which early community engagement period had been sought. More >>
Rates Capping No New Challenge Says Waitomo Mayor
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:26 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The accountant-turned-politician said he’d urged his council to instruct staff to keep costs in line with inflation when possible. More >>
Re-Homing Wellington Museum Could Cost $15M
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:21 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Dating back to 1892 and designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, the Bond Store once homed the Wellington Harbour Board head offices. More >>
Auckland Council Primed For $18M Fuel Blowout
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:15 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The council budgeted for an extra $25m in fuel costs this financial year, but Tucker said the latest modelling put the additional cost at $43m. More >>
Rotorua-Led Tourism Collaborations Secure Share Of $5M Funding
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:11 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
RotoruaNZ will lead campaigns targeting Chinese, Australian and US visitors. More >>
'Asleep At The Wheel?': Floodgate Oversight Blamed For Greymouth Flooding
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:02 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Chief executive Darryl Lew said the report's purpose was to provide information on the rainfall during the two events and feedback from what the rain gauges had picked up. More >>
More Rowi Kiwi Released
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 4:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Six more juvenile Okarito rowi kiwi have been released into the Burster Range near Franz Josef Glacier. More >>
Government Road Funding Cuts Will Cost Tararua Nearly $1.3M
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 4:52 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
FAR were funded through the National Land Transport Fund and applied to approved land transport activities which ultimately supported local government to pay for roading improvements. More >>
'Walls In Schools' Not A Quick Fix, Says Education Ministry
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Eight North Canterbury schools will get the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Education to redesign their open-plan classrooms, but installing the walls will take some time. More >>
Plan Change 'Future Proofs' Kaikōura's Growth
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A plan change for Kaikōura's Ocean Ridge sub-division means there is room to grow for decades to come. More >>
