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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 49]
Blenheim Holiday Park Residents Evacuated By Boat After River Floods
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:45 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park resident Steve Gorman said he had never seen a flood as bad in his nine years at the park. More >>
Motorists Urged To Stay Off Roads As Rain Continues To Fall Over Waitaki District
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:44 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Low-lying rural areas have been "hit hard." The Waitaki District Council is working to assess and repair infrastructure as quickly as possible. More >>
More Rain Forecast For Kaikōura, As Clean Up Begins
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:42 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura District Council staff are assessing the damage after heavy rain caused the Kowhai River to breach its bank and flood the town, but more rain is expected. More >>
Ōamaru Residents Call For Better Emergency After-Care Amid Floods
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:14 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Michelle Batchelor of Weaver St in Ōamaru said she was woken by her neighbour about 3am Monday as floodwaters rose quickly. More >>
One Million Visits: How Marlborough Library Became Blenheim’s Meeting Place
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:10 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Libraries manager Glenn Webster said Te Kahu o Waipuna was getting about 300,000 visits a year, up about 50% on the old library. More >>
First Emergency Operations Centre In Rangitīkei Gets Go-Ahead
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 6:03 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Rangitīkei District Council confirmed on Tuesday plans would be progressed for a dedicated centre as the addition of an EOC was a critical priority. More >>
Carterton Highway Prone To Deterioration Undergoing Rebuild
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 5:58 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The roadworks, set to begin at the end of August and finished in time for the district's annual Daffodil Festival in mid-September, would take place in the area of Andersons Line. More >>
Customers Shocked At Huge Water Rates Bills
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 5:46 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council said it could not comment on individual customer accounts for privacy reasons. More >>
New Road Names In Place For Social Housing
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 5:42 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The names have been chosen with input from mana whenua and represent historic names associated with Whakatōhea. More >>
Government Intervention Threat To Regional Council
Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 2:26 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The amendments would allow it to ringfence its Quayside assets into a new trust specifying what it can be used for in future, and restructure the Quayside Board. More >>
Marlborough Drivers Told To Brace For More Road Closures As Rain Batters Region
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 7:09 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
MetService issued a strong wind watch for the Marlborough Sounds from 6pm on Wednesday until 6pm on Thursday. More >>
Kāpiti Coast Council Temporarily Shuts Community Hall Amidst New Strategy
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 7:06 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The council expected to decide Waikanae’s direction – and the future of the Waikanae Beach hall – by June next year. More >>
‘Seamless’ – Mayor’s Abel Tasman Concerns Brushed Off
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 7:03 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The Attorney-General and land's rightful owners have said visitors won't notice a difference when they visit Abel Tasman National Park after Nelson's mayor raised concerns about the transfer of part of the park resulting from the Nelson Tenths ... More >>
State Of Emergency Declared In Kaikōura, After River Bursts Its Banks
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 6:53 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura and parts of the Hurunui district have taken a battering in the latest rain event. More >>
Woman Terrified After Council Orders Her To Use Anti-Barking Collars On Dogs
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 6:46 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga City Council issued Ōhauiti woman Shontelle Castledine with an abatement notice after noise complaints. More >>
New Northland Mayor Should Be Chosen By Voters Not Councillors – Ex-Councillor
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 6:38 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Vincent was a Kaipara District Council’s councillor for six years, narrowly missing re-election to its Otamatea Ward by just two votes in Northland’s closest 2025 local election race. More >>
Rangitīkei Residents Back Head Start Despite Mayor's Criticism
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 8:45 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The majority of Rangitīkei respondents, 84%, have called on council to create a pathway proposal by August 9 and join with other councils to make a larger unitary authority. More >>
Marlborough Residents Warned To Stay Off Roads During Region’s First Red Rain Warning
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 8:40 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
MetService issued the red rain warning for southern Marlborough and north Canterbury, including Ward, the southeast Awatere Valley, and Kaikōura ranges, lasting 35 hours from 4pm on Monday until 3am on Wednesday. More >>
3.97% Rates Rise For Thames-Coromandel As District Moves To ‘User-Pay’ Model
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 8:35 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Looking down the barrel of a proposed 13.4% rise, council pivoted to increasing fees and services to take the squeeze off ratepayers. More >>
Plenty Of Play For Masterton Kids As New Park Opens In Fast-Growing Suburb
Monday, 6 July 2026, 5:48 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The playground, set on what used to be a wetland, cost less than $300,000 and was part of Masterton District Council’s long-term parks and open spaces strategy. More >>
