Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 8]
Mackenzie Backs Five-Council Model, Leaves Door Open For Ashburton
Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:01 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Submitters raised concerns about losing local identity and voice, with one submitter saying he did not want Mackenzie to become a small part of a large district. More >>
Funding For Whanganui's Balgownie Landfill Investigation
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:56 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Whanganui District Council has secured the funding from the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) to investigate the former landfill, which operated from the 1950s until its closure in 2000. More >>
Smooth Subdivision Roads Face A Cheaper Makeover
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:52 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Many of Tasman's new subdivisions' roads were asphalted, but large future bills meant that the district council was working on a policy that would eventually see them chipsealed. More >>
Bridge Upgrades To Boost Mountains To Sea Great Ride Experience
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:41 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Installation work on the Mangapurua section will take place from 1 August until mid-October 2026, in time for the Great Ride season. More >>
Come Hall Or High Water - Rural Waikato Community's Supply Saga Continues
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:36 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Matamata-Piako District Council formally made their decision on Wednesday to connect the community to their supply in Te Aroha. More >>
Rangitīkei Rejects Reforms, But Minister Throws Spanner In The Works
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:31 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
As the clock ticked closer to the Government's August 9 deadline, the Rangitīkei District Council unanimously voted on Thursday to not produce an amalgamation proposal. More >>
Rotorua Homelessness: Council Launches Strategy To Tackle Housing Challenge
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:26 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The city has a higher proportion of high-needs housing applicants than the NZ average. More >>
Marlborough Community Blesses Kaikōura Union As Combined Council Details Released
Monday, 3 August 2026, 3:20 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough councillors voted to create a full draft amalgamation proposal with Kaikōura for the Government’s Head Start programme at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday. More >>
Road Safety Campaigner ‘Delighted’ By Proposed Changes At Aoraki Mt Cook Turn-Off
Monday, 3 August 2026, 9:03 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Nelson, who lives at Aoraki Mount Cook Village and teaches at Twizel, travels the road regularly. More >>
Amid Amalgamation, Upper Hutt Council Still Deciding Māori Seats For 2028 Election
Monday, 3 August 2026, 7:38 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Upper Hutt residents have until 12pm on Thursday, August 6 to make submissions on the council’s voting system and electoral model, and whether it should set up Māori seats. More >>
Tribute To Mayor Behind Kawerau's First Lifestyle Village
Monday, 3 August 2026, 7:31 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The village had been developed by Kawerau District Council under Campbell's leadership, answering a need for community members to downsize in their retirement years. More >>
Eastern Bay's Public Art Value Revealed
Monday, 3 August 2026, 7:21 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne council had 610 pieces of art, valued at over $11 million, with the percentage on display at any one time being just 2.29 percent. More >>
Chilly Chimps: How Hamilton Zoo Keeps Its Residents Warm During Winter Blast
Friday, 31 July 2026, 6:02 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Hamilton Zoo’s chimpanzees love basking in the sun AND are big fans of woollen blankets when it’s cold. More >>
Northland’s Council Merger Plan Highlights Gains, Hurdles Ahead
Friday, 31 July 2026, 5:53 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Northland councils playing a key role in the region’s $10 billion economy are backing a roadmap towards a single regional authority under the Government's reform. But the final blueprint for amalgamation warns the journey will involve difficult ... More >>
Marlborough Community Blesses Kaikōura Union As Combined Council Details Released
Friday, 31 July 2026, 10:07 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
If the merger went ahead, the first election of the new combined council would be in 2028, but Marlborough and Kaikōura would continue to follow their separate Long-Term Plans for a “transition period” until 2031. More >>
Slip By Controversial West Coast Landfill Raises Questions
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 6:06 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Two cars ploughed into the slip in the dark, without injury. The West Coast Regional Council has said it has not received any complaints about the slip. More >>
Work Underway To Strengthen Auckland's Local Alcohol Policy
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 6:01 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council’s Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) has been in place for two years, and is due for a review in the next four years. More >>
‘This Is Our Baby’: Marlborough Community Farewells Stillborn Baby Boy
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 5:58 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough Police chaplain John Etheredge, who led the service, said they were there to acknowledge a life, one that hadn’t been lived, but was sacred nonetheless. More >>
‘Tararua Makes Decisions For Tararua’: Council Opposes Head Start Reforms
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 5:49 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Local government needed to change, Gilmore said, however "bigger isn't always better" and Head Start carried "significant risks" for Tararua. More >>
'Magic In Their Eyes': Job Programme Helps Gisborne Youth Find Work
Thursday, 30 July 2026, 5:45 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme, run by Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development, supports those aged 16 to 24 into work. More >>
