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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 28]
Carterton Council Unlocks Key Water Project
Monday, 22 September 2025, 8:03 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The project, which was managed by Carterton staffer Christo Heyns, was delivered $42,000 under budget and received $1.75m funding from Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, and $128,000 from Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy. More >>
‘Shovel Ready’ – Work Poised To Begin On Maitahi Village
Sunday, 21 September 2025, 7:02 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The controversial Nelson housing development has been given fast-track approval and, assuming no appeal is lodged, work was expected to begin next month with the first homes ready potentially by late 2027. More >>
Council Rethinks Controversial Coastline Access Ban
Sunday, 21 September 2025, 6:57 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
It had historically been used by the public for access to remote coastal areas, including surf breaks and parts of Aorangi Forest Park but the area had suffered extensive environmental degradation. More >>
Southland Fails To Hit Rubbish Targets
Saturday, 20 September 2025, 7:43 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
A regional discard target of less than 650kg of waste per person, per annum, was exceeded by 80kg per person, but the report noted this was impacted by remediation at Little Tahiti and Ocean Beach landfills. More >>
'For The Sake Of Our Rangatahi': Auckland Community Fights New Bottle Shop
Saturday, 20 September 2025, 7:38 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The proposed site is a decile 10 area, one of the most deprived 10% areas in New Zealand. According to Auckland Council's Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), the site for the proposed shop was in a Neighborhood Centre Zone, which has added protection against ... More >>
Four New Homes Open In Māngere, But Almost 900 Families Still Waiting
Saturday, 20 September 2025, 6:34 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Penina Trust, a South Auckland NGO, provided a financial capability programme to help them secure a bank loan. More >>
Departing Selwyn Councillors On Bold Decisions And Shotgun-Wielding Landowners
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:47 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Voting is underway for a new look Selwyn council, with at least eight new councillors to be elected. Lyall reflected on a time when the council had no real planning in place and was instead being driven by developers. More >>
Dargaville Local Election Candidates Meeting One Of Region's Biggest
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:43 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Thirteen would-be Wairoa General Ward councillors are vying for three seats in the Kaipara District Council (KDC) ward - 4.3 times more candidates than available positions. More >>
Māori Ward Candidate Marilyn Davis: ‘Good Health Is The Pinnacle’ For Ruapehu
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:36 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Born and raised in the district and educated at Orautaha and Raetihi primary schools and Ruapehu College, Davis says she has long combined grassroots advocacy with governance roles. More >>
Wanted: New Invercargill Council Building
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:32 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill City Council and Environment Southland are testing the open market for a joint new office space in Invercargill through a “registration of interest” approach. More >>
ECan Reaffirms Support For Mana Whenua
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:28 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The motions included continuing to publicly oppose the Government’s proposed legislation to amend the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, which could impede customary marine title. More >>
Local Elections: Haehaetu Barrett Back In The Race For Rotorua Mayor After Health Scare
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:22 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Decision comes two weeks after she said she would not be campaigning for health reasons. More >>
'Bottom Line': Western Bay Must Benefit From Regional Deal, Says Mayor Denyer
Friday, 19 September 2025, 4:15 pm | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Better transport connections and more housing could be supported if a regional deal was signed, Denyer said. More >>
Tasman Forges Ahead With Rezoning Plans
Friday, 19 September 2025, 3:12 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
One mayoral candidate is appalled the council is moving forward with controversial zoning changes right before an election. More >>
West Coast Angst As New SNA Rules Revealed
Friday, 19 September 2025, 3:00 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
The permitted area of vegetation clearance goes down from 5000 square metres to 2000sqm on any site that hasn't yet been assessed for SNA potential. More >>
Departing Councillors Speak Out In Support Of Māori Ward
Friday, 19 September 2025, 2:20 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Departing councillors have voiced their support for retaining the Māori ward in their valedictory speeches at the final Marlborough District Council meeting before the election. More >>
Wairarapa Train Services Improve - But 'Public Don't Trust It'
Friday, 19 September 2025, 2:17 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The most recent network performance report was included in the Transport Committee’s agenda which showed Wairarapa’s rail reliability for July was 74.8% and punctuality was 52.1%. More >>
Hobson’s Pledge Doesn't Care If Mana Hit By ‘Disgusting’ Ad
Friday, 19 September 2025, 2:12 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The Hobson’s Pledge social media ad says Moeahu’s win shows “Māori don’t need mandates to lead”, urging a no vote in this year’s referendums. More >>
$9m In Unpaid Rates Owed To Hawke's Bay Councils
Friday, 19 September 2025, 2:06 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hawke’s Bay councils are owed more than $9 million in unpaid rates for the 2024/2025 financial year, with Wairoa residents struggling the most to pay their bills. Homeowners in Wairoa now owe $2.17 million in rates to the council, more than double ... More >>
Korty Wilson: Māori Wards Vital For Ruapehu’s Future
Friday, 19 September 2025, 1:59 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Born in Raetihi and raised in Ohakune, Wilson has deep roots in the district. Her whakapapa links include Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Uenuku and Ngāti Hāua. More >>
