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 48]

Jobs Programme Funding Cut Confirmed

Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 2:43 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have confirmed their Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programmes funding has been slashed. More >>

Compensation Rules In Regulatory Standards Bill Deemed Unclear

Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 2:38 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

Parliament and councils would face unquantified costs each time they sought to regulate, rendering the legislative process unworkable, Te Uru Kahika says in its submission on the Bill. More >>

After Years Of Rejection DOC Approves Coast Quarry Access

Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 2:33 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

The disused quarry is one of only two on the Coast that can supply the type of armour grade rock needed for critical flood protection projects. The approval announced this week by DOC is for a greatly reduced area. More >>

NIWA Study On Native Forest Likely To Influence Carbon Policy

Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 12:36 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum says new research by Niwa could boost its efforts to tackle climate change. More >>

Wanganui-Manawatu Sea Fishing Club Leader Raises Alarm Over Seabed Mining Project

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 7:23 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

The commodore of the Wanganui-Manawatu Sea Fishing Club is raising the alarm over a seabed mining project he never believed would happen. More >>

Minister Pressed On Future Of Two Canterbury Hospitals

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 7:21 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The future of two North Canterbury Hospitals was pushed squarely in the spotlight at a rural health meeting in Hanmer Springs on Monday. More >>

Marlborough Votes To Establish Separate Water Organisation

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 7:20 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

The Marlborough District Council has voted to establish a separate organisation to deliver water services in the region. More >>

First New Water Services Entity Springs To Life

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 5:33 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Selwyn Water will deliver services that enable community and business development and protect environmental health, it will manage its finances prudently and operate independently from rates. More >>

Invercargill Set To Lose Two Long-Serving Councillors

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 5:23 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

Peter Kett and Lesley Soper have ruled out returning to the table after serving seven terms and three terms respectively. Their decisions come at a time when the majority of current councillors are putting their hands up for another stint. More >>

World War II Type Bridge Considered For Clarence Valley

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 5:18 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A bailey bridge is one of the options being considered to replace the former Glen Alton bridge on the Clarence Waiau Toa River, which was destroyed in the 2016 earthquake. More >>

Low Pay, No Power: Precarious Work Traps Thousands Of Aucklanders And Weakens Democracy – Study

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 5:11 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

Dr Marko Galič’s ethnographic study reveals how low-paid, insecure employment perpetuates poverty and creates a sense of powerlessness among workers, leaving them too exhausted to engage in democratic processes. More >>

Council Negotiations Take New Water Entity One Step Further

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 4:59 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

The shareholder/stakeholder council would be made up of six representatives - one representative appointed from each of the four councils, and one representative each from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa. More >>

$3.2M Confirmed For Rural Health Centre Transformation

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 4:50 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Following the community call for action, Health Minister Simeon Brown directed Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to prioritise and accelerate work on the rural health centre. More >>

A Tale Of Two Stopbanks Hemming In Wairau River

Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 4:42 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

In 2024, council set aside $8.7 million in their Long Term Plan to strengthen the stopbank after it was compromised following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. That included $3.6m in government funding. More >>

South Auckland grocery store loses right to sell alcohol

Monday, 7 July 2025, 6:48 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

The off-licence was denied after an appeal led by an Auckland councillor with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority. More >>

Nelson Adopts Ambitious Target To Slash Emissions

Monday, 7 July 2025, 9:55 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

Community submissions vastly preferred the average annual reduction of 8.3% over an alternative goal of 6.83%, but the council still spent two hours debating the two targets. More >>

South Auckland Grocery Store Loses Right To Sell Alcohol

Monday, 7 July 2025, 9:36 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-license applications on grocery and convenience stores. More >>