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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 43]
Council Boss: Report Cards Don't Tell Full Story
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 5:17 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's councils say the new local government performance benchmarks are useful, but lack local context. More >>
Attendance Improving At North Canterbury Schools
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 5:13 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury schools are reporting improved attendance, despite the winter ills. More >>
Contractor Being Finalised For Ashburton’s Second Bridge
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 5:08 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government announced in December it would fund the 360-metre bridge, with construction expected to start in mid-2026, pending approvals. More >>
Nitrates Increase In Quarter Of West Coast Waterways - Report
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 5:01 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
Around 25 percent of West Coast waterways showed an increase in nitrate levels over the report period, from 2021 to 2024, mainly because of agricultural intensification. More >>
Ōpōtiki Eyes Up Industrial Sites - If The Government Agrees
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 4:53 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The estimated maximum cost of these assessments was $200,000 and they were expected to take six to nine months to be completed. More >>
Road Works ‘Pointless’ If Bridge Is Under Water
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 4:40 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Tom Brooks described the new Matekerepu roundabout as “pointless” if traffic from Ōpōtiki couldn’t get over the bridge less than 50 metres away. More >>
'Very Grateful': No Votes Cast But Rotorua Has Its First Election Winner
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 4:33 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua Lakes Council’s rural ward representative has held on to her seat as the only candidate to step up – leaving her elected unchallenged. More >>
DOC Offers Olive Branch To Punakaiki Locals Over Parking Fees
Thursday, 7 August 2025, 3:43 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
Twelve free parks opposite the new Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on SH6 were removed in June by NZTA Waka Kotahi, leaving DOC’s carpark as the only option for motorists. More >>
Small Town Surge Tops Growth Of Taranaki Council Contestants
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 4:06 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Candidates have tripled in contests for Inglewood and Waitara’s general wards and Stratford’s Māori ward, spotlighting stronger competition for Taranaki seats in this year’s local elections. Most wards and constituencies have more candidates More >>
Five Contest Tasman’s Mayoralty
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 3:24 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Five people are vying for the mayoralty: incumbent second-term mayor Tim King along with Maxwell Clark, Richard Johns, Timo Neubauer, and Richard Osmaston (who was also running for four other mayoralties). More >>
Greytown Wheels Park Gaining Traction
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 3:22 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Eighteen years on, and although her kids have grown up, the ground has finally broken, and construction on the wheels park is well underway at the corner of Cotter and Pierce streets. More >>
Push For A Pause On Masterton Town Hall Demolition
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 11:51 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
A concept plan has been received for the new build, along with planning advice which would need to be reviewed by a quantity surveyor for costing. More >>
Jump In Nominations For Horizons Council Elections
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 11:48 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Two constituencies will not be contested. Sitting councillors Nikki Riley (Ruapehu) and Te Kenehi Teira (Tonga Māori) have been elected unopposed. More >>
Last-Minute ‘Mad Rush’ Of Candidates In North Canterbury
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 11:44 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
High numbers of candidates are standing across the three North Canterbury districts. More >>
Tairāwhiti Tackles Youth Vaping With Smokefree CBD
Monday, 4 August 2025, 10:50 am | Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter
Vaping rates among Gisborne students rose from 1.6% in 2015 to 26.6% in 2023. More >>
Small Town Surge Tops Growth Of Taranaki Council Contestants
Monday, 4 August 2025, 9:31 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Candidates have tripled in contests for Inglewood and Waitara’s general wards and Stratford’s Māori ward, spotlighting stronger competition for Taranaki seats in this year’s local elections. Most wards and constituencies have more candidates More >>
Record Candidates In Auckland Elections Highlight Youth Empowerment In Ōtara
Monday, 4 August 2025, 9:23 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Voting papers will be delivered from Tuesday, 9 September, with voting closing on Monday, 22 September. Auckland Council has upgraded its Vote Auckland website to make it easier for people to learn about the candidates. More >>
Mayors Face Multiple Challengers In Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu
Friday, 1 August 2025, 4:28 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Nominations closed at 12 noon on Friday but were still being finalised on Friday afternoon. A public notice of the final list will be published on 6 August. More >>
Principals Confused At Ministry’s ‘School Days’ Directive
Friday, 1 August 2025, 3:30 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury principals say a new Ministry or Education directive on when schools are "open for instruction" is confusing and unworkable. More >>
Sisters Showcase Auckland’s Polynesian Experiences For Tourists
Friday, 1 August 2025, 3:27 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The tour, which has been running for a year, aims to give visitors an Auckland experience through local eyes, with Māori-led journeys and dining events. More >>
