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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 66]
'Our Problem Child': Wairarapa Rail Issues In The Spotlight
Monday, 18 August 2025, 1:48 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wairarapa Line has been plagued with reliability and punctuality issues due to insufficient staffing and maintenance work, but commuters have been told there is hope on the horizon. It comes as a satisfaction survey showed less than 60% of commuters ... More >>
Kaikōura's 'Day In The Sun' Is Coming - Council Boss
Monday, 18 August 2025, 1:12 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura district is on the brink of growth, as it looks ahead to October's local government elections, Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty says. More >>
Marlborough's First Māori Ward Councillor On Scepticism And Acceptance
Monday, 18 August 2025, 12:43 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Burgess beat Tony MacDonald to become the first Māori ward councillor in the 2022 local body elections. In 2024, the council voted unanimously to retain the seat and put it to a referendum, as required by the coalition Government’s changes to the ... More >>
'Frustrated Locals' Lash Out: Tauranga Parking Meters Vandalised
Monday, 18 August 2025, 10:47 am | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga parking machines vandalised amid paid parking frustration. More >>
Rotorua Council And Union At Odds Over Traffic Safety Risks
Monday, 18 August 2025, 10:21 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua council outsources traffic duties after union halts work over safety risk concerns. More >>
The Man Running For Mayor In Five Districts, Again
Monday, 18 August 2025, 10:09 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Richard Osmaston uses the election spotlight to further advocate for his vision of a money-free New Zealand. More >>
Roaming Dogs In Gisborne: Over 500 Incidents Reported In A Year
Monday, 18 August 2025, 10:01 am | Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter
Gisborne Council received 527 roaming dog reports in a year. More >>
Six Things To Know About Marlborough's New Water Plan
Monday, 18 August 2025, 9:40 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The Marlborough District Council adopted its Water Service Delivery Plan on August 7. The plan is required under the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy. More >>
Transparency Priority For Councillor Hoping To Be Nelson's Mayor
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:39 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Aaron Stallard would roll back the incumbent mayor’s structural changes which, he said, had reduced local transparency and democracy. More >>
Whanganui Council Appoints Interim Chief Executive
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:35 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Andrew Tripe said a permanent appointment would not be made until after the new council has been sworn in and inducted following local government elections in October. More >>
Timaru Left Dancing On Its Own With No Water Partner
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:32 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Timaru has been forced into a stand-alone CCO after its potential Three Waters reform partners, including Ashburton and Selwyn, made plans without them. More >>
Wilding Pine Problem At ‘Tipping Point’ In Southland
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:25 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Eric Roy said the battle was being lost, and called for immediate action such as limiting where trees could be planted. More >>
Ruapehu, Whanganui Councils Sign Off Joint Water Plan
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:21 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The Two-Council Water Services Delivery Plan, adopted by each council this week, will be submitted to central government by the 3 September deadline as part of the Local Water Done Well reforms. More >>
Eel Mistake Could Have Sent Dozens To Their Death In Napier
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:17 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Napier City Council says it’s impossible to know how many eels died during the incident, but similar-sized excavations typically brought up between 10 and 15 eels. More >>
NZTA To Help Foot Marlborough’s 2025 Flood Bill
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:13 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The region was pummelled by heavy rain on June 27, causing a local state of emergency to be declared due to flooding, slips and damage to roads. More >>
How Dr Timoti Te Moke Is Inspiring Young South Aucklanders
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:10 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Dr Timoti Te Moke has experienced the power of walking home in his scrubs from Middlemore Hospital, a deliberate act meant to normalise brown excellence and show that Māori and Pacific doctors exist. More >>
Man Who Fell Off Broken Swing Ordered To Pay Council $20k
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:02 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Although the injury was covered by ACC, almost four years later, he turned to the courts, claiming Masterton District Council had neglected its duties under the Local Government Act. More >>
Council-Backed Venue Brings Pacific-Led Theatre To Auckland Stage
Friday, 15 August 2025, 7:15 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Tafatolu is a new 50-minute play blending Sāmoan mythology, live music and physical theatre. More >>
Seabed Miner Slows Fast Track With 'Cynical' Response
Friday, 15 August 2025, 7:10 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
An Australian company has slowed its fast track bid to mine the Taranaki seabed by failing to provide information demanded by officials. More >>
Council Issues 183 Bin Warnings, But Are They All Rule Breakers?
Friday, 15 August 2025, 7:07 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Due to rising contamination in recycling and greenwaste bins, Whakatāne District Council introduced a three strikes system at the beginning of July, with the threat of having the bins temporarily confiscated after two warnings. More >>
