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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 5]
Dargaville’s Town Hall Replacement By 2028: Deputy Mayor
Thursday, 18 December 2025, 4:21 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Deputy mayor Gordon Lambeth said he wanted to see a replacement civic complex completed before the end of the current council term. More >>
Homeless Shower Options Still Being Explored In Invercargill
Thursday, 18 December 2025, 4:17 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The inner-city Wachner Place Restroom offers a free shower which is used twice a day on average, equating to about $270 per time based on overall running costs. More >>
Hawke's Bay Cities In Level 3 Water Restrictions As Usage Hits 95 Million Litres A Day
Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 4:59 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hastings and Napier water restrictions have been upgraded to Level 3, meaning sprinkler use is now banned. More >>
'Take A Mask': Rotorua Tourist Toilets Not Up To Standard
Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 4:57 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakarewarewa toilets have been labelled an embarrassment, with new facilities planned soon. More >>
Tasman Needs More Townhouses - Could A Design Competition Help?
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:43 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Concerns about the rate of intensification in Tasman are causing councillors to consider "creative" solutions on how to encourage uptake. More >>
'Nowhere Near Enough': 780-Tonne Lake Weed Disaster Lays Bare Rotorua’s Funding Gap
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:35 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
A storm on 12 November caused masses of weed from the CBD-sized bed on the bottom of Lake Rotorua to detach, surface and collect on the foreshore. More >>
Deputy Mayor Slams Napier Mayor's Failed Committee Move
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:30 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Napier's Deputy Mayor Sally Crown said Mayor Richard McGrath's proposal to omit mana whenua from this term's committees had blindsided councillors. More >>
Nearly 1200 Dog-Related Complaints In Wairarapa Over 2024/25 Year
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:28 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Animal control officers in Wairarapa councils were kept busy with nearly 1200 dog-related call outs during the last financial year. More >>
Relief And Excitement For New Pekatahi Bridge On SH2
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:25 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne Mayor Nandor Tanczos says the government's plan to replace the ageing Pekatahi Bridge shows "a collective push around a unified purpose can really make a difference". More >>
Summer Vigilance Urged Around Pop-Up Pools
Friday, 12 December 2025, 3:23 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
A tragedy involving a toddler who drowned in a temporary pool is prompting a fresh warning to Aucklanders to keep safety in mind this summer. More >>
North Canterbury Mayors Face 'Tsunami Of Changes'
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 5:51 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's mayors have responded to the Government's proposed resource management and local government reforms. More >>
Hastings Is Getting 180 New Bus Stops - Not Everyone’s Happy
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 5:49 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
A shake-up of Hawke's Bay's bus network has frustrated some Hastings residents who don't want bus stops installed outside their homes. More >>
Gisborne Flytipping Surges Nearly 55% - And It's Being Dumped At A Surprising Location
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 5:47 pm | Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter
Rubbish left outside the transfer station has cost ratepayers $570,000. More >>
Rotorua Night Market To Return To City Centre, Ending 'Foolish' Trial
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 5:46 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has cut short a trial move to Kuirau Park after just two months. More >>
Neighbours Fume Over Plans To Axe Trees For Solar Farm
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 3:54 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
A council has thrown its support behind residents of a country lane distressed about Genesis Energy's plans. More >>
Cash-Strapped Councils Can't Afford More Compensation, Councillors Say
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 3:51 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
A regional councillor who lobbied for years for compensation for landowner affected by SNAs says the government's changes are sound, but case compensation on the West Coast was a "pipe dream". More >>
Southland's Waters Warming Faster Than Most
Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 11:27 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
While the warmer waters may mean more enjoyable swimming temperatures, continued increases will be detrimental to a wide range of coastal ecosystems, including valued fisheries. More >>
One Wairarapa Council To Rule Them All? The Mayors' View
Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 11:20 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Wairarapa mayors give their view on a range of changes affecting the future of local government. More >>
'A Gesture Of Courage': Whanganui Hapū Celebrate Settlement Milestone
Friday, 5 December 2025, 6:06 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Lead negotiator Ken Mair said the ceremony marked a major milestone in a "long and tiring" Treaty settlement journey. More >>
Concerns Over Rotorua Night Market Trial As Stallholders Report Drop In Sales
Friday, 5 December 2025, 6:00 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The council began the trial in October to save in costs, enable earlier summer trading and address health and safety concerns. More >>
