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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 34]
Trust Tairāwhiti Reports Higher Revenue But $30m Borrowing Rise
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:47 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
August 07, 2026 Trust Tairāwhiti recorded strong operating performance in the 2026 financial year with higher revenue and assets, but increased borrowing and lower community distributions. The recently released Trust Tairāwhiti Annual Report includes ... More >>
Māori Councillors Make Rescue Call For Mana Whakahono Deals
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:43 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The Government is replacing the RMA and initially said existing Mana Whakahono would survive under its new laws. More >>
Data Centre Plans Raise Concerns In Mackenzie
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:38 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Proposed solar farms in the district had also fuelled speculation that Mackenzie was being positioned for a data centre. More >>
Kaipara Attacks Northland Councils And Government Over Amalgamation Push
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:31 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaipara proposal advocates three Northland unitary authorities, each combining district and regional council functions, based on nine KDC criteria. More >>
'Glaring Disparity' In Total Mobility Trips For West Coast
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:24 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coast Regional Transport Committee chairman Ashley Cassin, of Hokitika, noted the "glaring disparity" between Total Mobility use between Buller, Grey and Westland. More >>
Westport Flood Protection Project Faces Cost Blowout
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:05 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The revised budget will be presented to National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited, the Government agency responsible for funding public infrastructure projects, by August 31. More >>
Auckland Charitable Trust Fights To Keep Manurewa Hub
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:00 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Pride Project chief executive Luella Linaker sent a letter to the ministers pleading the community-led support initiative’s case on April 28. More >>
Hurunui Backs North Canterbury Council, Despite Debt Concerns
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council will submit a joint Head Start proposal with Waimakariri to form a new North Canterbury unitary council. More >>
Industry Leaders Say Builders Not To Blame For High Inspection Failure Rates
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:51 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Council building control officer Mark Mitchell told councillors the failures stemmed from a number of factors, including some complex builds. More >>
Western Bay Rejects Tauranga Merger: Why Resistance May Prove Futile
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:45 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga councillors first voted in favour of pursuing the creation of a new joint unitary authority covering the Tauranga and Western Bay areas, as part of a wider Bay of Plenty application. More >>
Tekapo Residents Asked To Dob In Accommodation Rule-Breakers
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:41 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
With just 315 permanent households, short-term accommodation is increasingly dominating Tekapo's residential areas, causing problems for the local population. More >>
Five Candidates Step Forward For Porirua’s Onepoto ByElection
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:36 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Te Huia also ran for the Onepoto ward – which covers the city centre and suburbs like Cannons Creek, Kenepuru, Tītahi Bay and Waitangirua – in 2022. More >>
Southland Mayor Takes Shots At NZTA Over Funding Shortfall
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:11 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Rob Scott said NZTA’s current funding assistance rate of 55 percent did not reflect the network’s realities; highlighting pavement rehabilitation, ageing drainage, bridge renewals and climate-related challenges. More >>
Boss Of Wairarapa's New Water Entity Appointed
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:06 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, and Tararua councils have agreed on a statement of expectations for the entity, lease terms for a headquarters in Masterton are being considered, and an inaugural chief executive has been appointed. More >>
Eastern Bay Merger Decision Made Under Duress, Says Kawerau Mayor
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Kawerau District Council became the last of the three Eastern Bay councils to accept an outline proposal for a unitary authority combining Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne and Kawerau at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday. More >>
Tauranga And Western Bay Councils To Debate Merger Proposal
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:56 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government gave councils just 90 days to come up with voluntary amalgamation proposals for its Head Start local government reform pathway, or face forced reforms later – the Back Stop process. More >>
‘No Friends In The Park’: New Plymouth Makes Out-Of-Scope Reform Bid
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:54 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
South Taranaki and Stratford councils have agreed on a Head Start merger proposal but rejected the invitation to join with New Plymouth. More >>
Sport Waikato Backs Ban For U14 Rugby Team
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:41 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
After the Tokoroa under 14 team lost a home game on Saturday, the situation was said to be “within an inch” of turning into a full-on brawl and the atmosphere was intimidating enough for St Peter’s of Cambridge spectators to leave “as a pack”. More >>
Upper Hutt Rejects Amalgamation, Tempts Fate With Government
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:53 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
"Amalgamation would be expensive, and the meagre projected savings could be wiped out by poor spending decisions," said Upper Hutt mayor Peri Zee. More >>
'We Were Waiting For It To Blow': Kaikōura River Nearly Overflowed In Flood
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:47 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura Craig Mackle says the July 7 flood was nearly catastrophic for the town. More >>
