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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 52]
Council Uses Vacant Lots Worth $3.5m As Staff Car Parking
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 9:22 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Michael McCartney, Horizons chief executive, said on-going local government reforms and growing uncertainty around the future of local governance meant the council wouldn’t progress plans at the site as they had intended to. More >>
Cat Killed By ‘Menacing’ Dog But Who Attacked Who First?
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 9:17 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The Upper Hutt City Council had given the dog a "menacing" classification after it caused the death of 18-year-old tabby Puss in Boots on a public footpath at Amber Grove, Birchville, in September last year. More >>
Push To Expand Raglan's Bus Services Amid Tourism Boom
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:28 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Despite paying the same $77 annual subsidy as ratepayers in Ngāruawāhia, Cambridge and Huntly, Raglan remains the only satellite town without an hourly bus service, Lawson said. More >>
Rotorua Shop Owner Fears New Parking Rules Will Drive Customers Away
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:17 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The new system for Rotorua's CBD includes permit-only spaces intended for long stays. More >>
Countdown On For Waitī Waters As Chief Executive And Office Space Sought
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:05 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waitī Waters board has been finalised, with Adrienne Young-Cooper leading the charge as board chair, alongside directors Sir Paul Collins, Maria Robertson, Clive Rundle, and Joanne Hayes. More >>
Auckland Bottle Shop Keeps Licence Despite Three Failed Alcohol Sale Tests
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:02 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Black Bull Liquor Everglade in Goodwood Heights applied for a renewal of its off-licence at its South Auckland store in April last year. More >>
Dioxin Disturbance At Former Whakatāne Sawmill Sparks Health Concerns
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:58 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (Swap) chairman Kereama Akuhata said the society and some nearby residents had serious community health concerns about the work on the historic sawmill site. More >>
Mackenzie Names Preferred Council Partners As Deadline Looms
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:53 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Oosthuizen proposed four amalgamation models, with combinations of Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru, Waitaki, and Ashburton. More >>
Ashburton And Selwyn Lock In Rate Rises
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:47 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Selwyn's plan included an average 4.5% rates increase - down from a forecast 13.3% rise in the long-term plan after the council made cost cutting efforts. More >>
Should Nelson Help Fund A Tasman Pool?
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:59 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A workshop about Tasman's community facilities saw several councillors support a suggestion that Nelson City Council should contribute to the pool. More >>
‘We Need To Protect Our Kids’ – Tasman Proposes School Rule For Bottle Stores
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:57 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A controversial bottle store application opposite a Tasman school three years ago has sparked a proposed new bottle shop regulation, but the school board's presiding member wants stricter rules. More >>
Horizons Agrees To Further Rates Increase On Final Day Of Financial Year
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:55 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Horizons regional council requires an extra $4.2m or 5.9% from ratepayers for the incoming financial year. More >>
Deals With Iwi Get Tick From Taranaki Council
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:53 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
TRC's chair Craig Williamson and his deputy Bonita Bigham say the deals help lock-in cooperation with Ngāti Maru on the taiao. (Te Korimako o Taranaki) More >>
Hurunui Councillors Cutting It Close With Merger Proposal Decision
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council is divided between forming a North Canterbury unitary council or a rural Canterbury combination. More >>
Masterton Rates Increase Lower Than Projected As Council Adopts Stretched But Doable Annual Plan
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 5:27 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The increase was down from the 6.5% initially signalled in Masterton District Council's long-term plan, and lower again from the 5.2% it consulted on earlier this year. More >>
Four Roads To Reform: South Waikato Seeks Public Say On Council Future
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:41 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The options were discussed at the South Waikato District meeting held on June 25. Local councils have until August 9 to tell central government who they want to partner up with. More >>
'It Could Lead To A Larger Increase': Mayor Warns Of Next Year's Rates Risk
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:31 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer said in Thursday’s meeting he had “lingering concerns” about his district’s rates increase being “much lower” than previously expected. More >>
Porirua By-Election Set For October 16
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:10 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Nominations open July 9 and close at 12pm on August 6. Voting begins through postal on September 14 and runs until October 16. More >>
Selwyn Huts Locals Celebrate 'Right To Live Peacefully In Homes'
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 4:04 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The threat of eviction was due to the lack of a sustainable, compliant wastewater system and the rising climate change and flood risks from Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. More >>
Who Actually Cares? Hamilton People On Council Amalgamation
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 3:18 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Everyday Hamiltonians shared their thoughts on local council amalgamation. More >>
