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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 5]
Western Bay Rejects Tauranga Merger: Why Resistance May Prove Futile
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:45 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga councillors first voted in favour of pursuing the creation of a new joint unitary authority covering the Tauranga and Western Bay areas, as part of a wider Bay of Plenty application. More >>
Tekapo Residents Asked To Dob In Accommodation Rule-Breakers
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:41 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
With just 315 permanent households, short-term accommodation is increasingly dominating Tekapo's residential areas, causing problems for the local population. More >>
Five Candidates Step Forward For Porirua’s Onepoto ByElection
Monday, 10 August 2026, 5:36 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Te Huia also ran for the Onepoto ward – which covers the city centre and suburbs like Cannons Creek, Kenepuru, Tītahi Bay and Waitangirua – in 2022. More >>
Southland Mayor Takes Shots At NZTA Over Funding Shortfall
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:11 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Rob Scott said NZTA’s current funding assistance rate of 55 percent did not reflect the network’s realities; highlighting pavement rehabilitation, ageing drainage, bridge renewals and climate-related challenges. More >>
Boss Of Wairarapa's New Water Entity Appointed
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:06 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, and Tararua councils have agreed on a statement of expectations for the entity, lease terms for a headquarters in Masterton are being considered, and an inaugural chief executive has been appointed. More >>
Eastern Bay Merger Decision Made Under Duress, Says Kawerau Mayor
Monday, 10 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Kawerau District Council became the last of the three Eastern Bay councils to accept an outline proposal for a unitary authority combining Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne and Kawerau at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday. More >>
Tauranga And Western Bay Councils To Debate Merger Proposal
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:56 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government gave councils just 90 days to come up with voluntary amalgamation proposals for its Head Start local government reform pathway, or face forced reforms later – the Back Stop process. More >>
‘No Friends In The Park’: New Plymouth Makes Out-Of-Scope Reform Bid
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:54 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
South Taranaki and Stratford councils have agreed on a Head Start merger proposal but rejected the invitation to join with New Plymouth. More >>
Sport Waikato Backs Ban For U14 Rugby Team
Monday, 10 August 2026, 3:41 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
After the Tokoroa under 14 team lost a home game on Saturday, the situation was said to be “within an inch” of turning into a full-on brawl and the atmosphere was intimidating enough for St Peter’s of Cambridge spectators to leave “as a pack”. More >>
Upper Hutt Rejects Amalgamation, Tempts Fate With Government
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:53 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
"Amalgamation would be expensive, and the meagre projected savings could be wiped out by poor spending decisions," said Upper Hutt mayor Peri Zee. More >>
'We Were Waiting For It To Blow': Kaikōura River Nearly Overflowed In Flood
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:47 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura Craig Mackle says the July 7 flood was nearly catastrophic for the town. More >>
Waimakariri Faces Costly Representation Review, Amid Reform
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:43 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is preparing to conduct a costly representation review, even though it may not exist for the 2028 and 2031 local government elections. More >>
Regional Climate Action Efforts Hindered By 'insufficient' National Response, ECan Says
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:11 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury chairperson Dr Deon Swiggs has backed a Climate Change Commission report calling for more action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More >>
Southland Council Ignores Community Preference For Amalgamation
Monday, 10 August 2026, 11:07 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Government Commission is currently investigating two options for Southland — a single region-wide unitary council, or two unitary councils. More >>
Waimakariri Leaves Door Open To Council Partners
Monday, 10 August 2026, 7:58 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council was due to meet on Thursday afternoon to vote on the North Canterbury proposal, while the Canterbury Mayoral Forum is meeting on Saturday. More >>
West Coast Amalgamation Plan Wins More Support, As Buller Remains Outside
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:52 am | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The move comes as the August 9 deadline for submitting amalgamation proposals to the Government's Head Start process approaches. More >>
Amalgamation Cost Will Be Borne By Ratepayers - Kaikōura Council Boss
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:46 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council has approved its draft merger proposal with the Marlborough District Council, but is also counting the cost. More >>
Tekapo Residents Asked To Dob In Accommodation Rule-Breakers
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:42 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
With just 315 permanent households, short-term accommodation is increasingly dominating Tekapo’s residential areas, causing problems for the local population. More >>
Canadian Cash En Route For Porirua Adventure Park, To Open In February 2028
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:38 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The project to build the park – with attractions like a gondola, dual zipline, an indoor surf and restaurant on top of the Rangituhi/Colonial Knob – had floated around for almost a decade. More >>
'We Don’t Want To Be Part Of A Super City': King Country Council Proposed
Monday, 10 August 2026, 6:35 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Ōtorohanga District Mayor Rodney Dow told Local Democracy Reporting the vote was not a final decision, but rather an indication of where Ōtorohanga and Waitomo want to be in the future. More >>
