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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
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 >>
Only A Stump Remains Of Twice Vandalised Tree In Ōhope
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 10:08 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council open spaces operations team leader Paul Camburn said the council was aware of the damage to the tree and disappointed to see this kind of behaviour in a public reserve. More >>
Growing A Village: Ambitious Plans For Awakeri In Eastern Bay Of Plenty
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 10:05 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council strategy and policy committee is being asked to approve engagement documents about the draft structure plan at a meeting on Thursday. More >>
Political Candidate Bitten While Campaigning - Here's How He'd Change Dog Control Laws
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:54 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Tukituki Act candidate Rob Douglas says he knocked on a door in Havelock North over the weekend and a dog came from behind the house and “took a nip at my elbow”. More >>
More Eyes On Vandals And Boy Racers In Waikato District
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:47 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The 15 cameras around the area have been put in known hotspots for issues such as boy racing or vandalism, Waikato District Mayor Aksel Bech said. More >>
No Discount On New City Bin Service Despite Three-Month Delay
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:43 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
While the new system is still copping flak on social media, the Rotorua Lakes Council maintains the benefits will outweigh the costs. More >>
Auckland Retirees Plead For Bus Shelter To Protect Against Elements
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:40 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
For years, residents of Evelyn Page Retirement Village in Ōrewa have been told bus stop 4573 at West Hoe Road did not qualify for a shelter because it was under utilised. More >>
Council Approves $500,000 To Tackle Systemic Flaws Exposed In Landslide Review
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:37 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The council commissioned former High Court judge Paul Davison, KC, to look into the fatal January 22 landslide from Mauao, which killed six holidaymakers in a council-owned campground. More >>
Council Funding Will Help Curb Suicide Risk For Taranaki Māmā
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:33 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Hapū Wānanga ki Taranaki – which runs two-day courses to prepare whānau for labour, birth and parenting – has a new office in Bell Block and asked New Plymouth District Council for $5000 to help with the fit-out. More >>
Destination Playground In Masterton Set For A Refresh
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 8:31 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kids Own Playground was built and painted in just under a week in 1999 with the help of about 2300 volunteers. More >>
