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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 36]
Rangiora Qualifies For First VX Final After School Board Call
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:33 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora High School says qualifying for the Miles Toyota First XV Championship final shows it made the right decision to step back from the Premiership grade this season. More >>
Waimakariri Mayor Unconvinced By Ngāi Tahu's Council Boundary Plan
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:29 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon is interested in partnering with Ngāi Tahu on local government reform, but he is not so keen on the iwi's proposal for a large North Canterbury council including Christchurch and Selwyn. More >>
Kaikōura Flood Impact Matched Forecasts For Proposed Subdivision
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:26 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council will decide the fate of the a private plan change for the Ocean Ridge sub-division next week, after last month's flood event confirmed predictions in flood modelling. More >>
Rotorua's Back On Board: New Twist In Bay Council Reforms
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:22 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Head Start gave councils until August 9 to propose voluntary mergers, or have the Government design the future structure for them in compulsory reforms after the 2028 elections - the Back Stop option. More >>
Manawatū's Ambitions Take Shape Despite Uncertainty Ahead
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:10 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Rob Duindam felt positioning ‘lead Manawatū’ higher in the draft strategy list was “so important” due to ongoing changes in local government and uncertainty around councils very existence. More >>
Ōpōtiki Waterfront Jetty Takes Shape But Faces $100,000 Cost Blowout
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 2:05 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The increased time and cost of piling work meant a $100,000 contingency fund allocated on top of the $450,000 budget would likely be required to finish the project. More >>
Mackenzie Ratepayers Fork Out $29k For Councillor Conduct Probe
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 10:26 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
This week, in response to a July 23 request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, the council stated the investigation into Hocken cost $23,192.34, including $17,903.34 for the investigation and $5,289 in legal fees. More >>
Confusion Over Responsibilities In Lower Hutt Storm Response
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 10:23 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The findings have prompted senior council officials to develop a predisaster plan clearly outlining responsibilities, along with a new plainlanguage webpage to guide both staff and the public. More >>
Century-Old Māori Trust Board Honoured In Taranaki
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 10:19 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The Trust Board began in 1930, after the Sim Commission found confiscation of half a million hectares of Māori land in the Taranaki wars was unjust and excessive. More >>
The Mining Political Divide: Greens Vs NZ First
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 6:14 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors have been putting all candidates in the West Coast-Tasman electorate on the mat, giving each time to outline their policies and answer questions. More >>
Greens Candidate Vague On Harvesting Pest Animals
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 6:08 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Cr Campbell has said wild goats should be harvested for food instead of importing them to New Zealand, describing is as the "most organic meat in the world". More >>
Ohakune Water Crisis Exposes Funding Gap For Critical Infrastructure, Says Mayor
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 5:39 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Kirton acknowledged the disruption caused by the emergency and praised the community-wide effort to support residents and assist with the response. More >>
Local Government Reform's Toughest Phase Still Ahead, Council Boss Says
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 5:36 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Difficult conversations are ahead for councils when it comes to the "nitty gritty" of forming new unitary councils, Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward says. More >>
Infrastructure Minister Rules Out Pause On Fast-Track Housing Developments In Canterbury
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 5:05 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A spokesperson for Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says the Fast-track Approvals Act doesn't allow for a pause, after two Canterbury mayors write asking for a pause and review on decisions for proposed housing developments. More >>
Sawmill Worker Advocates Call For Action On 'Horrific' Toxic Legacy
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (Swap) co-chairman Kereama Akuhata said the report highlighted human rights breaches against the workers. More >>
Forestry Minister Appoints Facilitator For Gisborne Forestry
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 3:20 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group (TFAG), established in 2024 to build confidence between parties and remove woody biomass, will also move into the next stage of its work. More >>
Upper Hutt Looks At Funding Study For 'Transformational' Rail Stop
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 9:31 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Transport planning for the Hutt Valley in late 2003 proposed electrifying the rail line beyond Upper Hutt and running trains to two new stations - Timberlea and Cruickshank Rd at Clouston Park - after 2016. More >>
'Little Bit Grumpy': Rural Residents Shoulder Water Upgrade Costs
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 9:26 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Significant changes are coming for two of Tasman's rural water supply schemes as the council seeks to comply with national regulations, but the ongoing costs are a concern for residents. More >>
Golden Bay Kayak Company To Keep Beachfront Base
Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 9:16 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A potential total sale of Tasman's 29 Cornwall Place would have spelt the end for Golden Bay Kayaks. A council decision last week will see part of the property sold to the business, much to their relief. More >>
Carterton's Ground Too Wet, Stream Too Low For Wastewater Discharge
Tuesday, 18 August 2026, 6:22 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Since the flooding, rainfall had been insufficient to raise the stream to a high enough level for consented discharge, which was above twice its median flow. More >>
