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 27]
Will Auckland's Food Grade Posters Disappear From Eateries?
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 3:34 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council’s governing body voted on Tuesday to let the Food Safety Information Bylaw lapse next year. More >>
West Coast Leaders Snub Denniston Mine Petition
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 3:30 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The petition asked that the plateau instead be designated as a scientific reserve, as Forest and Bird says the area is home to unique ecosystems and critically endangered species. More >>
Union Worried As Nelson Council Shake-Up Impacts Dozens Of Staff
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 3:27 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The Public Service Association said that “almost all” of its 160 members at the council were impacted in some way by the organisational changes that affected 19 of 22 business units. More >>
Wairarapa Lumped Into Wellington Supercity Proposal
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:53 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Both the Wairarapa and Wellington proposals being evaluated by councillors were only high-level outlines of potential reorganisation models and a detailed design phase would happen once Cabinet green-lit them in September. More >>
Auckland City Bottle Shop Ordered To Shut Down
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:39 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
City Centre Residents Group (CCRG) chair Antony Phillips said they were pleased with ARLA’s decision because Vogel Lane had, at times, become an open air bar with alcohol purchased from bottle stores in the area. More >>
Joint Water Services Could Save Eastern Bay And Rotorua $330 Million Long-term
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:31 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Assessments of the current states of the four councils show Ōpōtiki has the highest proportion of assets rated as in poor or very poor condition, which the report says reflects a legacy of underinvestment. More >>
Eastern Bay Bites The Bullet On Amalgamation 'Beast'
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:14 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne Mayor Nandor Tanczos, Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui and Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore have been working together over the past 90 days on a proposal for amalgamation of their three councils. More >>
Concerns Over Forestry Impact Spark Protest At Awards
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:08 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Long-standing concerns about forestry in the Mārahau area in Tasman have sparked protests outside the local forestry awards and formal complaints to the council. More >>
Marae Solar Project Provides Power And Learning Opportunities For Iwi And Local Ākonga
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 8:03 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Ten Ngāti Porou marae, alongside Manutūkē Marae and Pākōwhai Marae (about 14km and 20km from Gisborne respectively), will receive solar panels. More >>
Taranaki Councils Look To Work With Māori After Merger
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 7:57 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui said the merger of South Taranaki and Stratford met mana whenua needs better than a wider amalgamation including New Plymouth. More >>
Hurunui Resident Survey Backs North Canterbury Council
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 6:17 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said councillors will have had their own conversations with constituents, to give them a flavour of community sentiment. More >>
Kaikōura Swapping Pines For Natives At Coastal Reserve
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 6:11 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is organising a community planting day for its coastal reserve, Pōhowera Park, following the adoption of a master plan for the park last year. More >>
Leaks Waste More Than 15 Million Litres Of Water A Day In Hawke's Bay
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 6:07 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hawke's Bay regional councillor Neil Kirton said he was concerned by both the data in the report, and what it lacked. More >>
Gisborne Pilots To Get Better Visibility Of Emergency Landing Zones With New Markers
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 5:57 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Orange and white landing zone marker panels are to be laid across the district as one of the final instalments of the resource resilience Better Off Funding. More >>
Coast Head Start Report Emphasises 'Local Voices'
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 5:54 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Buller, Grey and Westland district councils were all meeting today to consider their commitment to the Head Start process. More >>
Lakeside Locals Threaten Legal Action Over 28-Unit Development Approval
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 5:46 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
They want a say on the consent application, but the council disagrees. More >>
Crash Takes Out Family's Fence For The Fourth Time
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 5:23 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The most recent incident on Tuesday last week involved two vehicles, one of which ended up on a transformer box, causing a power outage. More >>
Waikato, Waipā & South Waikato Councils Eye Merger, Await Two More
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 3:06 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Hamilton City Council and Taupō will cement their final responses on Thursday. More >>
Northland’s Council Merger Plan Highlights Gains, Hurdles Ahead
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 2:56 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Northland's final proposal for heading towards an eventual single council for the region is almost ready to head to Wellington. It heralds a new dawn along the lines of those who greeted the morning light at Waitangi celebrations this year. More >>
Kaikōura And Marlborough 'A Natural Partnership' - Mayor
Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 10:38 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Marlborough District Council has voted to prepare a draft amalgamation proposal with Kaikōura. More >>
