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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Kaikōura And Marlborough 'A Natural Partnership' - Mayor
Monday, 3 August 2026, 6:02 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Marlborough District Council has voted to prepare a draft amalgamation proposal with Kaikōura. More >>
Nelson Wildlife Groups Brace For Deadly Bird Flu
Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:30 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Conservation organisations in Nelson are well-prepared should bird flu hop the Cook Strait. More >>
Divided, United Or Undecided? The Push To Create Super Councils
Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:24 pm | Marika Hill - Local Democracy Reporting
In May, the Government gave councils three months to come up with a “voluntary“ Head Start proposal for merging into larger unitary councils. More >>
‘Dumping Ground For Auckland’s Wastewater?’ Alarm Over Plan To Truck Waste North
Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:17 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The 1217-home Delmore development on farmland near Auckland's Ōrewa gained draft fast-track expert panel approval on July 14. More >>
'Mixed Feelings': South Wairarapa Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Secures New Site
Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:09 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
South Wairarapa District Council endorsed plans to lodge resource consents for the upgrade on an almost 74-hectare block of farmland at a meeting on Thursday. More >>
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 >>
