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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 4]
Community Split Over City Centre Revitalisation Proposal With Nearly 100 Online Submissions
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:44 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
New planting, upgraded street lighting and prioritisation of events and markets were proposed to improve the city centre. More >>
Marlborough Sounds Road Repairs Produce $40m Surplus
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:37 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The programme was budgeted to cost $234m, with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi paying $100m, and the Marlborough District Council paying $104m through additional rates charges. More >>
Forest & Bird Can't Say How Many West Coasters Back Anti-Mine Petition
Friday, 17 July 2026, 6:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Democracy Reporting asked Forest and Bird for a breakdown to show how many had signed from the West Coast. More >>
DIY Sale: Bunnings Sale Not All About Bang For Ratepayers’ Buck
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:43 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The land is owned by Parish of St John Te Awamutu Trust but the building’s been left empty since May 2025, with rough sleepers occupying the area. More >>
Bluff Visitors Don't Like The Cold, Data Shows
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:39 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
New data commissioned by regional development agency Great South showed Airbnb occupancy in Bluff jumped from 23 - 35% in winter to 60 - 75% or more during summer. More >>
Auckland Homeowners Who Built Illegal Seawalls On Public Land Finally Get The Green Light
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:36 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
One of the owners, Paul Dale, said he acted because of severe erosion and flooding threatening his property. More >>
Waimakariri Residents Favour North Canterbury Council - Survey
Friday, 17 July 2026, 10:11 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A Waimakariri District Council survey found nearly 90 percent of 1688 responses favoured forming a North Canterbury or a Waimakariri stand-alone council. More >>
Water Project Is Not Being Fast-Tracked, For Now
Friday, 17 July 2026, 10:06 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Lake Sumner Sourced Water Project has been included on the former Ministry for the Environment website, but it will not be fast-tracked any time soon, an official says. More >>
Waikari Hospital Engagement Next Year
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:57 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Health NZ says it will engage with Hurunui residents next year over the future of healthcare in the community, including Waikari Hospital. More >>
Matakana Liquor Store Fights To Get Its Licence Back
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:28 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The store's representative brought up examples of past decisions handed down by ARLA which weren’t as harsh, arguing the cancellation of Micmat’s liquor licence did not give them room to redeem themselves. More >>
Hawke’s Bay Councils Back Unitary Authority Plan But Seek Local Voice
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:16 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The resolutions passed by the councils follow weeks of investigation, workshops and early community engagement. More >>
Merger Momentum Builds As Marlborough Puts Kaikōura Proposal Directly To Community
Friday, 17 July 2026, 8:58 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council voted to create a merger proposal with Marlborough as part of the Government’s Head Start programme, which gave councils until August 9 to present proposals for amalgamation, or face the decision being made for them. More >>
Wellington Amalgamation Plan From MartinJenkins Based On Geography, Not Population
Friday, 17 July 2026, 8:48 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
MartinJenkins did not specify how many should sit on the regional authority and community councils, but did say the final number of community councils depend on how many councils remain in the amalgamation. More >>
Illegal Rubbish Dumping Blights Gisborne’s Popular Makorori Surf Beach
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 5:28 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Waste typically contained food packaging, black rubbish bags and other general household waste, she said. More >>
'Incredibly Vulnerable' Rare Westland Petrels Face Bird Flu Risk
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 5:24 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Forest and Bird West Coast chairwoman Suzanne Hills expressed concern for the petrels, which were at risk due to their small breeding location. More >>
Pop-Up Park Opens On Site Of Demolished Masterton Town Hall
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 5:21 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Crews from contractor Quality Demolition were seen sweeping and tidying the space, and Masterton visitors and residents took their first stroll through the space as the day went on. More >>
Selwyn Doesn't Want To Merge With Christchurch—But It's Not Off The Table
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 5:16 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors unanimously decided to further investigate three options on Wednesday, led by Selwyn becoming a standalone unitary authority and an amalgamation between Selwyn and Ashburton. More >>
Community Rallies To Save Ashburton Santa Parade
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 4:42 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Ashburton District Council also granted the parade only $2000, rather than the $4000 Johns requested. More >>
Residents Back ‘Exorbitant’ Invercargill Council Units Despite Early Issues
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 4:37 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Garthwaite said the units were built to a high-spec, and commended the council on a "magnificent" job. More >>
Floods, Twisters And Mayhem - Yes, They Could Hit Hamilton
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 4:35 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The presentation then expanded looking at severe weather events that have swept the city, such as the 1953 Dinsdale flood. More >>
