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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Blenheim's ‘Slippy’ Pavers To Be Removed After Elderly Injured In Falls
Friday, 3 July 2026, 3:28 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The $4.3 million refurbishment of Blenheim’s town centre, set to begin on Monday, was to be completed in time for the busy Christmas trading period. More >>
Young Councillor's Exit Plan To Make Way For New Leaders
Friday, 3 July 2026, 3:24 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Regardless of what structures emerged from the Government’s looming council shake-up, Ketu says local government needs a succession plan. More >>
Taupō Council To Assess Four Amalgamation Options
Friday, 3 July 2026, 3:18 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop set councils the ultimatum on May 5, saying change was needed because the local government system was “too complex, too costly and too hard to navigate”. More >>
Marlburians To Have Their Say On Merging With Kaikōura
Friday, 3 July 2026, 3:14 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council communications manager Glyn Walters told councillors that the online survey would open at noon on Thursday and close on July 8. More >>
$100k Boost To Tackle Greymouth Flooding
Friday, 3 July 2026, 2:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
The Greymouth Rating District Joint Committee has supported a $100,000 increase in budget last Thursday for the hydraulic modelling to reduce the risk of Saltwater Creek flooding. More >>
Upper Hutt City Council To Borrow $4.4 Million, Earmarks $500k For AI
Friday, 3 July 2026, 2:51 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The plan was to use AI to enhance “internal capabilities and efficiencies” and purchase software licences, which cost $60 a month for each user. More >>
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 >>
