Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 41]
'Not Good Enough': Councillors Question 80% Building Inspection Failure Rate
Monday, 27 July 2026, 2:14 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Mackenzie District Council operations and regulatory services manager Neil Jorgensen presented the figure as part of his building report at Tuesday’s council meeting, and said 117 of 151 inspections had failed in June. More >>
'I Cannot Sit By': Resident Fights To Save Tauranga’s Memorial Pool From Demolition
Monday, 27 July 2026, 2:10 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga resident Jan Iles, in her petition, asked that the council defer making any final decisions about whether the war memorial swimming pool should be demolished until after it had consulted with the community. More >>
Full Cost Of Bungled Museum Development In Te Awamutu Revealed
Monday, 27 July 2026, 7:28 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The saga has garnered strong commentary from ratepayers and prominent figures alike after plans to transform the site into Te Ara Wai district museum's new home were canned. More >>
The Region Juggling Two Merger Processes At The Same Time
Monday, 27 July 2026, 7:16 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
City councillor Darren Ludlow said he preferred the LGC process and felt there was pre-election “bullying” from the Government towards the Head Start reforms. More >>
Why NZ's First Pacific Mayor Is Willing To Give Up His Job
Monday, 27 July 2026, 7:10 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils have until August 9 to submit an amalgamation plan to Government, which could reduce the number of councils, councillors and mayors across New Zealand. More >>
Tīrau Burger King And Starbucks Project Yet To Start Construction
Monday, 27 July 2026, 7:01 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to bring the coffee and burger chains to the Waikato town has drawn criticism from some locals. More >>
'Environmental Nightmare': Toxic Weed Spreads On Dunes In Waimarama
Monday, 27 July 2026, 6:58 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Luke Shadbolt says dumping garden waste has been a longstanding issue in the coastal settlement, located 30km east of Hastings. More >>
Tairāwhiti Businesses Learn Practical Tools For Disasters
Monday, 27 July 2026, 6:52 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
More than 50 businesses, including sole traders, business owners and leadership teams, have taken part in the three-hour sessions. More >>
He Hoped To Set Sail In Retirement, But Councils Came Calling
Monday, 27 July 2026, 6:45 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
For many years, Farrell has provided advice to other councils, sat on national advisory boards and authored papers on these subjects. More >>
Submission Numbers Tell Only Part Of The Story, South Auckland Local Boards Say
Friday, 24 July 2026, 4:30 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Kaea Walter Inoke-Togiamua said the community's response had been encouraging, even beyond the number of formal submissions. More >>
Call For Public Say On Future Of Taranaki Maunga
Friday, 24 July 2026, 4:11 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi is the board representing Te Kāhui Tupua, and its chair Liana Poutu said public input came before any substantial work on the management plan. More >>
Upper Hutt Likely To Back Out Of Wellington Amalgamation, Leaked Email Reveals
Friday, 24 July 2026, 4:06 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The ramifications of the move could potentially leave the city’s fate in the Government’s hands for local government reforms. More >>
The Key Issues Facing Waimakariri's Youth
Friday, 24 July 2026, 3:59 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council says the voices of local youth are being heard, after adopting its Waimakariri Youth Action Plan 2026-29. More >>
ECan Prioritises 'Enduring' Treaty Partnerships
Friday, 24 July 2026, 3:51 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The treaty partnership is top of the list in Environment Canterbury's new strategic direction document, to provide some guiding principals for staff working on next year's Long Term Plan. More >>
Urgent Plea To Save Water In Greytown And Featherston
Friday, 24 July 2026, 10:08 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The council said conserving water now would help maintain supply for everyone if repairs took longer than expected. More >>
Hastings Councillor Moves Out Of Region To Chase Parliament Ambitions
Friday, 24 July 2026, 9:55 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Steve Gibson, who has been selected as the NZ First candidate for Rangitīkei in the upcoming general election, says he remains committed to his council role. More >>
Sydney Opera House Or Hauraki's Newest Library? New Facility To Transform Community
Friday, 24 July 2026, 9:47 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Perched in the same place as its bulldozed predecessor, the facility came in just under the $4.6 million budget and opened on Wednesday. More >>
North Canterbury Councils Keep Door Open For Kaikōura Merger
Friday, 24 July 2026, 9:41 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri And Hurunui District Councils Continue To Discuss Merger Options And Have Left The Door Open To Working With The Kaikōura District Council. More >>
Golf Course-To-Housing Proposal For North Canterbury Not Yet On Fast-Track Radar
Friday, 24 July 2026, 9:17 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's office has confirmed no referral application has been lodged yet to fast-track a proposal to convert the Pegasus Golf Course into housing. More >>
Southern Taranaki Councils Propose Wedding Without New Plymouth
Thursday, 23 July 2026, 5:32 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Early in May the Government ordered councils to amalgamate, aiming for simpler and cheaper local government. More >>
