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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 4]
Stewart Island Hit By Another Power Price Hike
Monday, 29 June 2026, 5:44 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
District council and community board appointee for Rakiura Jon Spraggon said both the board and community realised the price had to go up. More >>
World-First Underwater Caulerpa Seaweed-Eating Machine Launches In Bay Of Islands
Monday, 29 June 2026, 5:27 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Northland-made ROV is a tethered robotic submersible controlled by operators on the surface, allowing large-scale caulerpa removal to be carried out underwater without divers. More >>
Boost For North Canterbury School 'Bulging At The Seams'
Monday, 29 June 2026, 5:15 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Amuri Area School in Culverden is finally set to receive some new classrooms, after funding was cancelled two years ago. More >>
Government's Housing Incentives Come Up Short - Waimakariri Councillor
Monday, 29 June 2026, 5:12 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A Waimakariri district councillor says the Government's incentives for growth doesn't go far enough. More >>
Lifeline For Small Canterbury Community's Postal Services As End Date Delayed
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:58 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Waikuku Beach in North Canterbury has had its postal services extended until August 31. More >>
Film Funding Battle 2: Waikato Screen Gains Another Backer Amid Unknown Future
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:55 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Waikato Screen figures showed a 76:1 dollar return on investment to Matamata-Piako. More >>
Council Crossroads: Kaikōura Sets Deadline For Selecting Partner
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:34 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council will decide by July 8 which council(s) it plans to prepare a HeadStart proposal with. More >>
Rate Rises Across Southland Less Than Expected
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:30 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill City Council led the charge on Tuesday when it ushered in an average rise of 7.03% — higher than a March position but less than the 8.43% forecast in its long term plan. More >>
Regional Councillors Stick To Path Despite Mayors’ Plea
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:28 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga councillor Tim Maltby joined Shirley in voting against adopting the amendment, saying councillors couldn’t ignore all the territorial authorities in the Bay of Plenty. More >>
Kaikōura Settles On 6.3% Rate Rise
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:27 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council has adopted its annual plan, with an average rate rise of 6.3% - or 3.8% without water services. More >>
Drivers Keep Breaching Beach Ban On Marlborough’s East Coast
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:23 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council unanimously voted on Thursday to publicly consult on whether to review the East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw, and whether the review should cover the whole bylaw or target specific sections. More >>
Whakatāne Bus Station Getting Nearly $850,000 Restroom Upgrade
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:10 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The funding is being administered through Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which applied for the funding on the district council’s behalf. More >>
Tasman’s Rates Increase More Than Double Nelson’s
Monday, 29 June 2026, 4:06 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Tasman will see a 9.9% increase, while Nelson agreed to a 4.7% increase. The commentary from the two councils' elected members was markedly different. More >>
Value For Money Top Priority For Council Merger, Masterton Survey Shows
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:54 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton District Council’s recent Future of Local Government Survey drew 559 submissions, of which 80.5% were in favour of a Wairarapa option - 11.5% preferred a wider Wellington model. More >>
Rates Rage: South Waikato Council Votes For Rise
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:49 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The rates vote comes after South Waikato District Council reported to its ratepayers a year-to-date net operating surplus of $189k, besting its budgeted deficit of $3.11m by more than $3 million. More >>
Wheel Of Time: Heritage Restored At Lincoln's Historic Mill Site
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:43 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council and the historical society have been hunting for anyone who may have old photos of Moffat’s Mill, as they do not have one in their collections. More >>
Pacific Chefs Celebrate Recognition But There's More 'Talent To Shine'
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:38 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Pacific food business owners say they welcome recognition through the Auckland Iconic Eats programme, but more South Auckland and Pacific food stories deserve a place on the city's culinary stage. More >>
Controversial Councillor Zed Latinovic Booted Off Committee
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:30 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
At Thursday’s council meeting, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said in addition to the imposed censorship, Latinovic’s membership on the Local Services Committee would be suspended effective immediately. More >>
Tauranga Mayor, Councillors To Visit China For Yantai Sister City Milestone
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:20 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, and Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor would join a wider delegation from Tauranga. More >>
Rotorua State Highway 30 Intersection Upgrade Stalls As NZTA, Council Clash Over Funding
Monday, 29 June 2026, 3:04 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
NZTA and Rotorua Lakes Council disagree on which of them should pay for the SH30 upgrade. More >>
