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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 32]
Waikato Mayors Come Out Swinging At Government's Rates Cap
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:21 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
“This country is slowly going backwards because of the complete disconnect between central and local government, and they're buying into a rhetoric from people saying our rates are out of control," said Hauraki District Council mayor Toby Adams. More >>
What Tauranga Got Back From Council's $580K Event Spend
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:18 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The six-monthly events report outlined the economic and community benefits of council-funded events during the period. More >>
Rural Kaikōura Families Given New Wheels To Help With School Run
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:17 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Blenheim Toyota has responded a request from the Kaikōura District Council to help it support families cut off after last month's flood. More >>
Gisborne Bus Patronage Falls 16% As Public Transport Network Faces Changes
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:11 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Potential changes would be considered through the regional public transport and land transport plans, including improved access to Three Rivers Medical Centre and Gisborne Hospital, weekend services, and connections to Wainui and Okitu. More >>
Bishop Weighing Options On West Coast Combined Plan
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:06 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Grey Mayor Tania Gibson also called for the plan to be paused, and Westland Mayor Helen Lash warned the final cost might be upwards of $15 million. More >>
‘Defensible But Unpalatable’: Road Rate Aims To Put Repair Costs On Higher Users
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:05 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Steve Cretney said the proposal raised the question of whether forestry would continue to be a viable industry if companies paid for roading costs through a targeted rate. More >>
Community Grants Panel Reshuffled After Applicants Left Waiting For Answers
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 5:01 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Despite putting his name forward for the panel in 2027, councillor Te Kenehi Teira acknowledged there were still problems with “who is available and who is not” at any given time, which could cause further issues. More >>
'Choices And Trade-Offs': Whanganui Faces Tough Decisions Under Rates Cap
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:14 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
“It’s always a difficult balance between keeping rates affordable, maintaining the services our community values and continuing to invest in the basics – particularly our infrastructure,” says Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe. More >>
The Cost Of Auckland's Sticker Vandalism Revealed
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:10 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Parks and community facilities head of operations Julie Pickering said council’s graffiti removal teams regularly remove stickers and posters, illegally placed on assets. More >>
Cash Injection Needed For Canterbury's Public Transport Future
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:10 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Urban ratepayers may have to choose between lower rates or better public transport. More >>
Taupō Council Works To Protect Electricity Fund Against Amalgamations
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:07 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Models in neighbouring districts that protect assets from local government reform include South Waikato District Council’s South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (Swift). More >>
Council Backtracks On Dannevirke Deer Park Closure
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:06 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Council facilities manager Fontayne Chase said the community’s efforts weren’t simply about retaining deer but about keeping a “long-standing local amenity” while keeping costs from ratepayers. More >>
West Coast Regional Council 'Inept': Buller District Councillor
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Regional councillors on Tuesday decided to consult Westport residents on a more costly scheme offering less flood protection, after staff recommended a reset under two options. More >>
‘It Has Become A Vendetta’: Bid For Probe Into $70m Projects Voted Down
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 3:59 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
A councillor wants to know how the golf course and reserve projects got into the plan. More >>
New Plymouth Weighs Rates Caps As Low As Two Percent
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:27 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The recommendations from staff come in the same week the Government announced it intends imposing a 4 percent rates cap on councils from 2029. More >>
Shane Jones Asks Government To Pause Costly West Coast Plan
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:24 am | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
RMA Reform Chris Bishop confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting he had received Jones’ correspondence. More >>
Volunteers Help Police Tackle Crime On Papatoetoe Streets After Hours
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:17 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Members of the Counties Manukau Community Safety Patrol Trust work into the early hours, observing and reporting incidents in an area where a senior Police officer says crime is high but staffing is low. More >>
Porirua Leaders Eye Australia Trip For Inaugural Trans-Tasman Mayoral Cup
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:14 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The delegation would accompany 36 players across two age group teams at Kenepuru-based Olé Football Academy, who would play six matches against sides of the Blacktown District Football Association. More >>
Tongariro Trout Centre Seeks Volunteers To Keep Afloat
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:11 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Newly appointed manager Clint Green told Local Democracy Reporting the centre was in desperate need of funding, volunteers and visitors. More >>
South Auckland Bottle Store Appeals Closure Decision
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 9:05 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The off-licence store, located in the Ōtara Town Centre, failed to renew its liquor licence after the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC) decided that closing it down would noticeably improve the area’s amenity and good order. More >>
