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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Tweaks To Welcome Bay Plan Don't Go Far Enough, Says Petitioner
Friday, 25 September 2026, 5:41 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The council proposed in March to add traffic lights at the Welcome Bay Rd and Kaitemako Rd intersection and introduce a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. More >>
New Legislation Another Cost For Councils, Ōpōtiki Mayor Says
Friday, 25 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
David Moore said councils were going to have to get up to speed very quickly with two pieces of legislation passed through Parliament on Wednesday. More >>
Rangiora After Hours Funding Close To Being Finalised
Friday, 25 September 2026, 5:29 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Whatu Ora Health NZ has confirmed it expects funding arrangements to be confirmed for the new Rangiora medical facility in the next month. More >>
Revamp Revealed: Blenheim Gives Its Verdict On Town Centre Glow-Up
Friday, 25 September 2026, 5:25 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
People in Blenheim have been reacting to a major revamp of the town’s main shopping strip, which was revealed on Wednesday after almost three months of no traffic and restricted pedestrian access. More >>
'Protect Ōtara Creek, Protect Our Future': South Auckland Students' Call To Action
Friday, 25 September 2026, 4:34 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The group said the creek provided habitat for native wildlife, was a taonga for Māori and gave local people a place to walk and spend time outdoors. More >>
‘Unsettling’ Dead Rat Discovery Leads To Boil Water Notice In Horowhenua
Friday, 25 September 2026, 4:31 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The village now faced an "understandably unsettling" boil water notice which applied to approximately 40 households, Horowhenua District Council chief executive Monique Davidson said. More >>
Masterton Council Looking At Rates Shake-Up
Friday, 25 September 2026, 4:24 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The review was driven by the upcoming transfer of Masterton’s water services to the new regional water services entity, Waīti Waters. More >>
Gisborne Housing Plan Change: 35 Of 859 Submission Points Misclassified
Friday, 25 September 2026, 4:21 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Points raised could only support or oppose matters raised in other submissions, listed in a document summarising decisions requested by original submitters. More >>
What Are The Rules Around Election Signs?
Friday, 25 September 2026, 3:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
There are rules governing election hoardings which must be followed in the lead up to the November 7 general election. More >>
Rare Wrybills 'Need Our Help': North Canterbury Kids Push For Bylaw Change
Friday, 25 September 2026, 12:30 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury school children have presented a petition to Environment Canterbury calling on the council to help protect the rare wrybill braided river bird. More >>
Napier Council Wants To Sell Struggling Resort To Aussie Company For $20m
Friday, 25 September 2026, 12:27 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The sale would mean Kennedy Park Resort’s employees would move to Hampshire (NZ) Limited, while keeping the same employment conditions. More >>
Methven Kept In The Dark On CBD Lighting Project
Friday, 25 September 2026, 12:23 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
“We understand the delay has been frustrating, and we acknowledge our communication about the timing of the work could have been clearer,” said EA Networks’ chief executive Onno Mulder More >>
Tauranga Council Considers Future Of City's Airport
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 5:15 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
A report authorised by council chief operating and financial officer Craig Rice said the airport was a “strategic infrastructure asset” operated without ratepayer funding. More >>
'Doing A Damn Good Job': Rotorua Rejects Regional Water Model
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 5:05 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Don Paterson applauded the council’s water services team, pointing to its performance measures and saying Rotorua was already “doing a damn good job with water”. More >>
Car Crashes Into Tauranga Council Building
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 4:47 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Witnesses at the scene said they understood the crash was accidental. More >>
Methven Pulls Plug On Household Item Recycling Due To Rule Breakers
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 4:44 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The community board supported the end to household item drop-offs by November, despite concerns it could lead to an increase in illegal dumping. More >>
Speed Cuts Proposed For Mackenzie Roads
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 4:34 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Roads in the district are managed by the council, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and the Department of Conservation, which maintains roads in the Aoraki Mt Cook area. More >>
Invercargill Council Boycotts Companies Connected To Israeli Occupation
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 12:30 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Tom Campbell chaired Tuesday’s meeting and was clear he did not support aligning the council’s procurement policy to a United Nations resolution which would see it avoid doing business with 158 companies. More >>
Taupō’s Landfill Set For Upgrade Amid Push To Reduce Waste
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 12:26 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Taupō District Council says upgrades to the Broadlands Resource Recovery Centre will reduce waste going into the landfill by up to 8000 tonnes a year. More >>
Future Of Whakatāne's Water Service Goes Out To Public Consultation
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 10:13 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Since December, the four councils have been working together to assess the benefits and disadvantages of forming a Multi-CCO for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. More >>
