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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Luxon Visits Vineyard On Campaign Trail: ‘It’s An Exciting Time To Be A Winemaker'
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 10:40 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Luxon mingled with about 70 business leaders and party faithful, accompanied by deputy leader Nicola Willis and Kaikōura electorate candidate Stuart Smith, at Small Town Winery in Blenheim on Tuesday morning. More >>
Methven's Peace Tree Axed After 107 Years
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 10:36 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Nordqvist, a former district councillor, said he was devastated when the Ashburton District Council cut down the tree in early October after it was deemed to be in severe decline and a safety risk. More >>
Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council To Make ‘Trade-Offs’ Ahead Of Rates Caps
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 10:23 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
High inflation and incoming rates capping meant Horizons Regional Council would need to make “trade-offs” to fund new and continued services in Manawatū-Whanganui, chairwoman Nikki Riley said. More >>
Election 2026: Labour’s Taupō Candidate Chris Flatt Says Energy Reform Key To Job Sustainability
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 10:20 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Incumbent MP Louise Upston has held the Taupō seat for six consecutive terms since defeating Labour’s Mark Burton in 2008. More >>
Asset Boom Softens Mackenzie’s More Than $3 Million Operating Deficit
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 7:30 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The Mackenzie District Council adopted its Annual Report last week, which confirmed expenditure of $37.9m against revenue of $34.7m for the 2025/26 financial year. More >>
New Wellington Walking Tracks Open By Christmas
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 7:24 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The Greater Wellington Regional Council said on Tuesday that existing farm tracks at the former Gollan’s Valley Station would be marked for recreational use and open to the public by December 19. More >>
Council Urges More Detail On Taranaki Maunga Plan
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 7:17 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The plan will set out how Te Papa-kura-o-Taranaki national park is protected, restored, accessed and used. More >>
Late Leader’s Park Vision Set To Become Reality In Wairarapa
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 7:09 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The erosion-prone land was bought more than 30 years ago as part of an initiative to rehabilitate land and reduce the amount of soil eroding into local rivers and streams, minimising flood damage to local communities. More >>
Fireworks Risk Extends Beyond Auckland’s Maunga, Firefighters Warn
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 6:29 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) Community Risk Manager Lorna Biggam says South Auckland crews responded to a slew of calls during last year’s Guy Fawkes period. More >>
Draft Kaipara Bylaw Targets Intimidating Behaviour In Public Places
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 6:26 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
November 02, 2026 People begging, preaching, busking or seeking donations in Kaipara's public places could face council intervention if their behaviour intimidates, alarms or harms others under a draft bylaw update. Kaipara District Council will consider ... More >>
Tairāwhiti Forestry Review: Crown Urged To Take Greater Responsibility
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 6:24 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The review panel, chaired by Christopher Finlayson, KC, with Dr Marie Doole and Vanessa Eparaima, examined seven resource consents, five compliance cases and interviewed more than 100 people. More >>
‘Do They Go Without Food?’: Fury Over SuperGold Peak Bus Travel Axing
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 5:43 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The scheme costs ratepayers $155,000 per annum, as free transport during off-peak hours, weekends and holidays is funded by central Government as part of a nation-wide scheme. More >>
‘Small Price To Pay’: Mackenzie Joins Rural Health Network
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 3:46 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Deputy mayor Rit Fisher said the membership fee was a “small price to pay” to provide positive outcomes for the community, and a larger reach in Wellington. More >>
Green Light Sought For Early Return Of Saved Community Pool
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 3:41 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The Tāwera Community Trust is taking ownership of the Sheffield Memorial Pool and is seeking permission to open before the legal transfer from the Selwyn District Council is complete. More >>
Splash Planet’s Future Up For Feedback As Hastings Council Looks To Limit Rates Rises
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:18 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Ratepayers pay about $1.6 million a year (about $50 per rates bill a year) towards running Splash Planet, while the art gallery costs about $1.9 million a year (about $58 per rates bill a year). More >>
'One Of The Worst Sites': Forestry Firms Ordered To Remove Slash
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:05 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
All debris from harvest activity needed to be removed from streams, skid sites and other high-risk locations by burning, helicopter or truck removal. More >>
Southland's Global Space Company Won't Write Down Military Policy
Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:01 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Work began at Awarua in 2004 following a €200,000 injection from the European Space Agency, he explained, and the site has since expanded to cover 32 hectares, all paid for by profits. More >>
Nitrate Levels In Rural Canterbury’s Groundwater Remain A Concern
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:58 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Greenpeace says Environment Canterbury's latest groundwater survey shows the region is still in a nitrate emergency. More >>
Councils Set Expectations For New Canterbury Water Entity
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have adopted a statement of expectations for new water services entity, Kaikōura Hurunui Water Services Ltd - but the new company's board is not entirely happy. More >>
Hamilton Aquatic Centre Up 60,000 Visitors, Councillor Keen For Expansion Or New Facility
Monday, 2 November 2026, 2:53 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Waterworld’s aquatics operations manager Shayla Whaiapu would welcome an extension, but remains firmly focussed on gearing up for what may be a record-breaking summer. More >>
