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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
New Plymouth Council Cashes In On Sunshine Capital
Friday, 3 July 2026, 10:12 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The 100 solar panels were mounted on the roof of New Plymouth District Council’s climate-controlled archives building in March. More >>
Penguin Chick Successfully Hatched By Kaikōura Wildlife Trust
Friday, 3 July 2026, 10:09 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The first chick hatched from a clutch of wild little penguin eggs on Friday [June 26] after 32 days of artificial incubation. More >>
Paid Parking Pushes Hairdresser Off Hastings' Main Street
Friday, 3 July 2026, 10:01 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
On July 1, the cost to park for an hour in the CBD goes from $2.60 to $2.70, and off-street parking will go from $2.10 to $2.20. More >>
Cost Of New Invercargill Council Units ‘Exorbitant’ - Councillor
Friday, 3 July 2026, 9:57 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Opened in May, the $2.8 million Miller St project features six single-bedroom units with mobility-friendly bathrooms and garden beds. More >>
Hurunui Councillors Talk Future Plans With 'Degree Of Discomfort'
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 5:32 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui District Council has prepared an 11-year strategy as it looks ahead to next year's 10-year Long Term Plan, even though it may no longer be around to deliver on the plans. More >>
Merger Plans: Waimakariri Keen To Avoid Christchurch City's Debt
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 5:29 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council has stated its case for a North Canterbury unitary council. More >>
Fast-Growing North Canterbury Communities Each Have A 'Unique Identity Of Its Own'
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 5:24 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A survey of Waimakariri's fasting growing area has found each community has its own unique identity. More >>
Funding Secured For Youth Jobs Programme In North Canterbury
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 5:18 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's mayors are relieved funding has been secured for another year for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme, amid a challenging economic environment. More >>
Waikato Waters Pledge To Take Blame If Things Go Wrong Ahead Of Service Takeover
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 5:05 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Waikato Water’s interim chief executive Neil Brennan told Waikato Times the body is responsible for the “day to day” services, including aspects such as dealing with pipe breaks or wastewater overflows. More >>
Council Uses Vacant Lots Worth $3.5m As Staff Car Parking
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 9:22 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Michael McCartney, Horizons chief executive, said on-going local government reforms and growing uncertainty around the future of local governance meant the council wouldn’t progress plans at the site as they had intended to. More >>
Cat Killed By ‘Menacing’ Dog But Who Attacked Who First?
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 9:17 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The Upper Hutt City Council had given the dog a "menacing" classification after it caused the death of 18-year-old tabby Puss in Boots on a public footpath at Amber Grove, Birchville, in September last year. More >>
Push To Expand Raglan's Bus Services Amid Tourism Boom
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:28 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Despite paying the same $77 annual subsidy as ratepayers in Ngāruawāhia, Cambridge and Huntly, Raglan remains the only satellite town without an hourly bus service, Lawson said. More >>
Rotorua Shop Owner Fears New Parking Rules Will Drive Customers Away
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:17 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The new system for Rotorua's CBD includes permit-only spaces intended for long stays. More >>
Countdown On For Waitī Waters As Chief Executive And Office Space Sought
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:05 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waitī Waters board has been finalised, with Adrienne Young-Cooper leading the charge as board chair, alongside directors Sir Paul Collins, Maria Robertson, Clive Rundle, and Joanne Hayes. More >>
Auckland Bottle Shop Keeps Licence Despite Three Failed Alcohol Sale Tests
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 5:02 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Black Bull Liquor Everglade in Goodwood Heights applied for a renewal of its off-licence at its South Auckland store in April last year. More >>
Dioxin Disturbance At Former Whakatāne Sawmill Sparks Health Concerns
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:58 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (Swap) chairman Kereama Akuhata said the society and some nearby residents had serious community health concerns about the work on the historic sawmill site. More >>
Mackenzie Names Preferred Council Partners As Deadline Looms
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:53 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Oosthuizen proposed four amalgamation models, with combinations of Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru, Waitaki, and Ashburton. More >>
Ashburton And Selwyn Lock In Rate Rises
Wednesday, 1 July 2026, 4:47 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Selwyn's plan included an average 4.5% rates increase - down from a forecast 13.3% rise in the long-term plan after the council made cost cutting efforts. More >>
Should Nelson Help Fund A Tasman Pool?
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:59 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A workshop about Tasman's community facilities saw several councillors support a suggestion that Nelson City Council should contribute to the pool. More >>
‘We Need To Protect Our Kids’ – Tasman Proposes School Rule For Bottle Stores
Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 7:57 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
A controversial bottle store application opposite a Tasman school three years ago has sparked a proposed new bottle shop regulation, but the school board's presiding member wants stricter rules. More >>
