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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 61]
Southland's Nitrate Data Goes Online Amid Concerns
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:01 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
In May, Greenpeace raised concerns after undertaking testing in Lumsden, and asked all district councils to make their results public — a call which has been answered by Southland District Council. More >>
Labour Slams Council Reforms As 'Messy, Watered-Down'
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:57 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Last month, the Government gave councils three months to come up with amalgamation plans, in a bid to cut the complexity and costs of local government. More >>
‘Our Voice Should Not Count For Less’: Carterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:39 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Over the coming days, Carterton District Council will be releasing benchmarking data around potential rates costs under amalgamation and opening a public survey, before community information sessions begin on June 22. More >>
'All Options Remain On The Table': Masterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:20 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
A survey across Masterton asking people about their priorities for amalgamation had already attracted more than 370 responses. More >>
Deputy Mayor Backs Manurewa Arts Space To Create 'More Anapelas, More Velas'
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:08 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council Head of Community Delivery - South Kim Taunga said council was aware of interest from community leaders in having more performing arts spaces available in Manurewa. More >>
Vaping In Kaikōura Council's Sights
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:56 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is reviewing its smoke-free policy and is considering including vaping restrictions. More >>
Costs Down But Rates Up, Wairarapa Amalgamation Report Hints
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:51 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wairarapa unitary authority model would deliver on both district and regional services across Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa, and was one option being explored to address the Government’s amalgamation ultimatum. More >>
'He Was A Rock': Tributes Flow For Porirua Councillor Mike Duncan
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:47 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
A Porirua City Council spokesperson said details of a by-election to fill the now-vacant seat would be announced in due course. More >>
Rent Rise On The Cards For Pensioner Housing Units In Mid Canterbury
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:14 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council currently charges 55% of the market rate for some of its 102 elderly persons housing units, but is looking at increasing it to an 80% minimum. More >>
Invasive Caulerpa Seaweed Reaches Whangārei Harbour For First Time, Horrifying Locals
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:38 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
About a square metre of the seaweed has been found in Whangārei Heads’ Smugglers Bay, on the north side of the harbour entrance. More >>
Small Town Has 'Cuppa With A Councillor' To Talk Amalgamation Concerns
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:05 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Those who didn’t produce a pathway or had theirs rejected, would face Back Stop - the Government’s mandatory process which would be finalised in 2027 and further explained after Head Start. More >>
Costs Down But Rates Up, Wairarapa Amalgamation Report Hints
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:58 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wairarapa unitary authority model would deliver on both district and regional services across Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa, and was one option being explored to address the Government’s amalgamation ultimatum. More >>
Cloudy Future For Ngāti Maru Deals With Taranaki Councils
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:52 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The iwi is close to confirming a pair of draft agreements setting out how Ngāti Maru and the council will collaborate in future. More >>
Boat Ramp Fees A Prickly Issue For Fishers
Monday, 15 June 2026, 3:00 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council was warned of the potential backlash during a hearing for its new fees and charges schedule on Wednesday, but Mayor Nandor Tanczos and most councillors were prepared to take the risk. More >>
Proposed New Burial Charge ‘Culturally Insensitive’
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:53 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
“We, as Māori, will never walk away from an open grave. It is culturally insensitive,” said councillor Tu O’Brien during deliberations on the fees and charges schedule for 2026-2027. More >>
New Pool Charges Unpopular With Some In Whakatāne
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:47 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council is proposing raising the entry fees to keep up with rising operating costs and to align with comparable facilities across New Zealand. More >>
Waimakariri District Extends Welcome To Newcomers
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:34 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council has officially signed its Welcoming Action Plan 2026-29 as it embraces migrants and newcomers. More >>
Why Spend When Change Is Coming, Asks Kaikōura Councillor
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:29 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A Kaikōura district councillor has questioned spending ratepayers' money on a regional spatial plan when change is coming. More >>
Hastings District Council To Reconsult On Business Rates After Outcry, Pan Pac Facing 56% Hike
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:23 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Hastings District Council decided late on Thursday to seek further feedback on its Annual Plan’s potential effect on commercial and industrial properties, through a two-week targeted consultation. More >>
Tararua Council Backs Community Desire To Challenge Merger Reforms
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:21 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Of the total votes collected across nine community meetings and through online engagement, 46% called on the council to “fight for a better option”, challenge the current three-month time-frame, and not submit a Head Start proposal by August 9. More >>
