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 3]
‘Bloody Cheeky’: Council Tow Truck Escapes Disability Parking Fine
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:45 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The business owner who took the photo said they had mentioned the brazen parking to a Hamilton City Council parking warden but was just told to “talk to council”. More >>
Lessons From Cameron Rd Chaos: Council Vows To Put 'Community First'
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:43 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga roadworks: Cameron Rd and 15th Ave upgrades to overlap. More >>
Bottle Shop Cops Blame For Ōtara’s Public Drinking, Anti-Social Behaviour
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:41 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The DLC is expected to release its decision later. More >>
Sunset Ritual Restores Ancestral Winter Ceremony Beneath Ruapehu Skies
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:26 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The emotional ceremony at Tūroa skifield marked the revival of Hautuku as the central North Island iwi reinstated the traditional ceremony Te Maru o te Tau. More >>
Porirua Road Closed By Slip Set To Re-Open Almost Three Years Later
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:13 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The stretch of road has been closed since July 2023 when a slip from private land partly blocked the public road. More >>
Ngāti Rangi Unveils Star Compass To Teach Next Generation Of Astronomers
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:10 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The project was led by Ngāti Rangi celestial researchers Riwaru Tihema and Rauroha Brown and designed according to traditional Ngāti Rangi narratives and astronomical knowledge. More >>
Nelson Councillor Claims Colleague Wants To 'Oust' Her
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:04 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Lisa Austin claims that a fellow councillor wants her off the council, and that the council might declare her seat vacant after the Auditor-General decided not to prosecute her over her financial interests. More >>
Napier Council Backs Down On Extra Rates Charges For CBD And Rural Residential Homes
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:58 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
A Bay View lifestyle block owner who felt he was being forced from his land by a proposal to increase his rural residential rates is “more than happy” the Napier City Council has changed its mind. At a meeting on Thursday, the council ... More >>
Mum Denied Memorial Bench For Son Found Dead At Auckland Beach
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:54 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
An Auckland mum says she will keep fighting for a bench to be installed at a beach where her son died, despite the local board refusing her request. Shara-Lee Porter wants to put a park bench at Arkles Bay where her son Tyler’s body was found ... More >>
Masterton Council Gets 'Could Do Better' Report Card
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:42 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Lyn Riley, president of the Masterton Ratepayers and Residents association, said the results sent a clear message from the community. More >>
Mackenzie Youth Spearhead Action Plan For District
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:35 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The researchers worked with a group of five Twizel Area School students, conducting surveys, workshops, and discussions throughout the district to inform the plan. More >>
Safe Drinking Water Plan Approved For Small Mackenzie Community
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:30 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Jorgensen listed safe drinking water upgrade for Allandale, near Fairlie, and the replacement of the settlement's ageing pipe network as a priority in the programme. More >>
Kaipara Rates Hike Could Be Halved By Council Borrowing
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:25 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Larsen said the council was looking through its coming projects to see which could be funded by borrowing rather than rates. More >>
From Finance To Front Seat: The New Council Leader Promising Value For Money
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 3:39 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Potton started at the council in 2009 as a finance manager and was its chief financial officer from 2014 to 2017. More >>
Former Wellington Mayor Back On The Campaign Trail In Australia
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 9:08 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
“It feels good to be back behind the scenes,” Whanau said, adding she would also be supporting the Greens in New Zealand. More >>
‘Fed Up’: Mackenzie Mayor Calls Out Aggressive Behaviour By Members Of Public
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:28 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Since the start of the year, the council had recorded six incidents involving aggressive and threatening behaviour towards council staff. More >>
Waikato Lawmakers Praise $1.8 Billion Expressway Vow
Monday, 1 June 2026, 9:12 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The project will complete a vital missing link on a major corridor for moving both people and goods, AA Waikato District Council chairperson Steve Cantwell said. More >>
Bad Behaviour Wrongly Blamed For Ending Taumarunui-Hamilton Bus, Says Frustrated Mayor
Monday, 1 June 2026, 9:09 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton added the Intercity alternative is simply unrealistic and he isn't happy the health organisation is "fooling people" it's the right option. More >>
New E-bike Charging Stations Valued At $900,000 For Hauraki And Tāupo Trails
Monday, 1 June 2026, 9:05 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has earmarked $900,000 for charging stations on two Waikato trails, saying e-biking is ‘gaining real momentum’. More >>
On Leave Manurewa Board Member To Keep Pay While SFO Assesses Complaint
Monday, 1 June 2026, 4:46 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Lou-Ann Ballantyne, Auckland Council's General Manager Governance and Engagement, said elected members remain entitled to remuneration while they hold office. More >>
