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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Complainants Tight-lipped Over Invercargill Mayor’s Apology
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:12 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Last month, Clark made headlines when he appeared on satirical news show New Zealand Today and repeated a racial slur he had drawn criticism for in 2023. The appearance prompted councillors Ian Pottinger and Ria Bond to lodge a code of conduct complaint ... More >>
Bengal Cats ‘picked On’ By Council’s Pet Policy
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:10 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Concern for native animal species has prompted a Southland council to monitor online pet sales, with a particular focus on Bengal cats. Ownership of the breed requires a special permit in Southland, with a complete ban on Stewart Island/Rakiura. More >>
E-scooter Agreement Extended In Waimakariri
Friday, 19 April 2024, 5:06 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Pink Flamingo Scooters will continue zipping through towns like Rangiora and Kaiapoi. The Wellington-based company has been confirmed as Waimakariri district’s e-scooter provider for another three years. There are 150 e-scooters available in the Waimakariri ... More >>
Kaipara Mayor Wants Māori Ward Gone Before Next Local Elections
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 4:03 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson wants his council’s Māori ward gone before next year’s local government election. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown this month signalled changes to Māori wards, which would require a referendum for their establishment. ... More >>
Testing Of Smell And Noise Too ‘subjective’ Claims Councillor
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:55 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
Smell and noise tests have been criticised by a West Coast Regional Councillor who says a lack of technology isn't good enough. 31 environmental complaints and incidents for the region were logged by council during the January-March quarter. More >>
Reviving Māngere Town Centre On A $0 Budget
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:52 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
The heart of Māngere in south Auckland is desperate for a refresh, but there's "no money" to revive it. "If we don't make a change, this town centre will be non-existent," Māngere town centre manager Leatuao Larry Tupa’i-Lavea ... More >>
Dog Owners Fined After 27 Cats Killed
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:50 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Owners of several roaming dogs that were on a cat-killing spree, terrorising a south Auckland neighbourhood, have been fined. Residents of Conifer Grove in Takanini were devastated after several cats were found dead, attacked by a pack of dogs. They counted ... More >>
$2m Footbridge Across Flood-prone Creek To Make Walking Safer For Students
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:43 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland students who short-cut through a potentially flooded creek to get to school will soon have a safer option. The Franklin Local Board are pulling out all the stops to build a $2 million footbridge across the Whangapouri Creek in Pukekohe, scheduled ... More >>
Cat Killing Spree By Dogs In South Auckland Under Control, Says Council
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 3:42 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Residents of Conifer Grove in Takanini claimed at least 24 felines were killed in the past two months, by packs of roaming dogs.The shocking attacks forced the community to come together in a special public meeting, crying out to authorities for help. More >>
Councillor ‘hopeful’ Reduced Bin Collection Won’t Lead To Illegal Dumping
Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 5:10 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Larger households will face bigger challenges if Auckland's rubbish collection drops from weekly to fortnightly, but the move will encourage people to change their behaviour, a Manukau ward councillor says. Auckland Council took submissions for its draft waste ... More >>
New Zealand’s Biggest Tsunami Replacement Project Underway In Northland
Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 5:14 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The $6.7 million to date four-year project funded by Northland ratepayers is the country’s first major region-wide project using new Danish designed solar-powered tsunami siren units. The 94-siren rollout is expected to be completed by October. More >>
West Coast Swim Spot Testing Clear Of E-coli
Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 5:07 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
The latest testing at a popular Westport swimming beach appear to show an all clear for E-coli. Earlier samples over summer had flagged contamination from cattle, according to a report to the West Coast Regional Council. The test site in question, Marrs ... More >>
Council Drops Ball On Smoke-free Signage: Health Service
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:27 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
In June 2020, Invercargill City Council approved a policy to make a number of public areas smoke-free. But National Public Health Service advisor Laura Pope said that had appeared to go by the wayside in the wake of recent upgrades. More >>
Invercargill Venues ‘difficult To Access’: Migrant Community
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:22 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Southland Migrant Walking Together Organisation has called for a dedicated migrant community event space in Invercargill. The group said it is getting more difficult to access places amid high demand and costs. More >>
Kaikōura Waterfront Seeking Developers
Monday, 15 April 2024, 4:01 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is working on the detailed design for the redevelopment of Wakatu Quay and hopes to begin work soon. The council is already seeking expressions of interest for a tenant to operate in the first building, which will be council ... More >>
Education And Housing Tipped As Areas For Council Input
Monday, 15 April 2024, 3:57 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Local governments can do more for their communities but only if the funding is made available - that's the message coming Local Government NZ. ‘‘Councils have relationships with communities, they can leverage those relationships," Local Government NZ president ... More >>
Masterton Council Forms Disability Advisory Group
Monday, 15 April 2024, 3:49 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton District Council has voted to establish a disability advisory group. The disability advisory group would provide support to the council in “addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities”, a recent report to council said. ... More >>
‘We Just Need A Road’: Finding A Position On Broken Sounds Route
Monday, 15 April 2024, 3:45 pm | Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter
The Marlborough Sounds are waiting for a $230m repair job, with about $104m to be covered by Marlborough ratepayers. Who should pay for the repair of the long and winding road into the Sounds is dividing locals. More >>
Twenty Million Trees For New Zealand’s Biggest Harbour Restoration Project
Tuesday, 4 May 2021, 11:36 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
More than 20 million trees and other natives will be planted around New Zealand’s biggest harbour in the groundbreaking $200 million dollar Kaipara Moana Remediation project. Ruawai on the shores of Kaipara Harbour Alan Wilcox, a senior manager for ... More >>
How dirty is NZ coal? Mining lobby faces conservationists
Wednesday, 25 November 2020, 1:48 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
Coal plays a small part in greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand, Minerals West Coast manager Patrick Phelps told West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board this month. More >>
