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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 9]
‘The Vineyard Will Have To Close If I Have No Water’: Matahiwi
Friday, 10 April 2026, 4:33 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
An award-winning Wairarapa vineyard is among a raft of commercial operations that could be on the line if a key water race is closed. More >>
Councillor Slams DOC Over Pest Animal Control
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 3:16 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
West Coast Regional Council chief executive Darryl Lew acknowledged there were tensions between regional councils and the government over the eradication of goats, pigs and deer. More >>
Rangiora High Takes Stand Against Rugby Premier Competition
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 3:12 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The move follows a bid from South Island boys' schools to establish a separate competition. More >>
Shoppers Welcome Parking Change At One Of Auckland’s Most Ticketed Streets
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 3:10 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Residents are praising a pilot initiative to increase parking time limits at one of Auckland's most ticketed streets. More >>
Selwyn Households Could Face 18 Percent Water Bill Hike
Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 5:43 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
For an average urban household, using drinking water and wastewater services, the cost could increase by $280. More >>
Political Hopeful Karl Mokaraka Rejects 'Serial Heckling' Label
Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 5:43 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Karl Mokaraka has been removed from Parliament and disrupted political events. He now has his sights set on running for the Papatoetoe Local Board. More >>
Wellington Cable Car Merch Sales Soar
Wednesday, 4 March 2026, 3:34 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
A $10 Wellington cable car-themed keychain is selling like hotcakes, while the big chill grips the capital. More >>
Fewer Mobility Park Flouters After 400% Fine Increase
Tuesday, 3 March 2026, 6:17 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The fine has increased from $150 to $750. More >>
Iwi Opens Houses To Raise Whānau At Home
Tuesday, 3 March 2026, 5:54 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Ngāti Mutunga has opened new houses to help whānau get into home ownership and grow their family connections on tribal ground. More >>
'We Can Move On': Napier Mayor Names His New Deputy Mayor After Sacking Previous One
Friday, 27 February 2026, 6:04 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Napier City Council mayor Richard McGrath stood down Sally Crown from her duties as deputy mayor in dramatic circumstances earlier this week. More >>
Auckland Mayor Defends Funding Model As Local Boards Face $6M Shortfall
Thursday, 26 February 2026, 6:11 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
A ward councillor claims the Mayor's Office had assured her multiple times last year that funding would be found to help local boards fill the gap. More >>
Whanganui Study Aims To Tackle Growing Mate Wareware (Dementia) Concerns Among Māori
Thursday, 26 February 2026, 6:08 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
A hui brought whānau together to kōrero about recognising the signs and symptoms of dementia, understanding contributing and protective factors, and exploring ways to slow the progression. More >>
‘If The Stars Align, Boom!’: Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa Bets On Green Energy
Friday, 20 February 2026, 2:07 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is staking its claim in NZ's clean energy future, backing a 280-megawatt green hydrogen and methanol project that could deliver climate gains, generational returns and long-term iwi ownership. More >>
Fishing Group Slams Greenpeace Rakaia Salmon Stunt
Friday, 20 February 2026, 2:00 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Protesters defaced the large statue, just weeks after a $300,000 ratepayer-funded refurbishment. More >>
Tītīrangi Residents Fear Being Cut Off As 10-Week Road Closure Begins
Wednesday, 18 February 2026, 12:02 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Weeks of work is scheduled to repair subsidence under the road from the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend storm. More >>
Neighbourhood Feud In Wellington Over Yellow Lines
Tuesday, 17 February 2026, 3:44 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
In the midst of a neighbourhood dispute, Wellington City Council has decided to make a stretch of Fortification Rd no stopping at all times. More >>
Rat-Free Forest Offers Rare Boost For Kōkako North Of Rotorua
Friday, 13 February 2026, 5:42 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Iwi conservation work has wiped out rats across 700ha of Kaimai Mamaku Forest. More >>
East Coast Family Displaced By Landslide To Move Into Toitū Tai Rāwhiti Cabin
Friday, 13 February 2026, 5:39 pm | Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter
A Te Araroa family are looking to move into a Toitū Tai Rāwhiti cabin after a landslide destroyed their hillside home. More >>
'Nothing Prepares You For It': Mayor's 'Confronting' Days After Deadly Landslide
Thursday, 5 February 2026, 5:51 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale has described the days following the Mauao landslide tragedy as "the hardest week of my life". More >>
New Earthquake Faults Discovered Near Wairarapa Towns
Wednesday, 4 February 2026, 5:38 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
A new study has uncovered new earthquake faults in the Wairarapa valley, four of which are close to some of the region's towns. Wairarapa's Emergency Management Office (EMO) controller, Simon More >>
