Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
'Generations Of Hurt': Whanganui Treaty Settlement Clears Final Hurdle After Nine Years Of Negotiations
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:56 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Nine years of negotiations between Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown came to a close as settlement legislation passed its final reading in Parliament on Thursday. More >>
Kāpiti Coast Council Throws Backing Behind Ratepayer Loan Scheme
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:52 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Kāpiti Coast district councillors agreed at a Thursday meeting to express in-principle support for the RAS. More >>
One Of Auckland’s Most Ticketed Streets Sees A Big Drop In Infringements
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:49 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Last year Onehunga Mall was the second-highest ticketed street in Auckland, racking up 8782 parking tickets, and the sixth overall for revenue generated with a whopping $196,308 collected in infringement fees. More >>
Why Rockfall Was Largely Left Out Of New Mount Maunganui Slip Risk Study
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:46 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
In a Wednesday meeting, Tauranga City councillors heard more information was needed about rockfall risks, which were largely left out of the landslide report. More >>
Ashburton Council Fails To Deliver All Its Projects On Time, Again
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:41 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
With the Government introducing a 2-4% rates cap, councils are under pressure to be efficient with spending and delivery. More >>
Public Behaviour Greatest Risk For Whakatāne Council Staff
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:38 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Health, safety and wellbeing manager Dickie De Klerk presented a report on incidents over the past quarter to the finance, performance and risk committee recently. More >>
New Masterton Town Hall Hangs In The Balance
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:34 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The old Masterton Town Hall was closed in 2016 due to its earthquake-prone status and demolished earlier this year, but plans for its replacement have caused years of debate. More >>
Current And Could-Be Porirua Councillors Employed By Same Local Charity
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:31 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Jess Te Huia is running in the Onepoto ward by-election, after the sudden death of Mike Duncan in June. More >>
Hanmer Campground Bounces Back After School Gastro Outbreak
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:26 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hanmer Springs Forest Camp was rocked by a bout of gastrointestinal illnesses and extreme winds last year. More >>
Wairoa’s Floods Help Drive Change To Emergency Management Law
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:23 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell said he had been with communities like Wairoa that raised genuine concerns about the speed at which its river mouth was being opened. More >>
Rangiora After Hours Medical Facility On Track To Open Before Christmas
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:19 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The South Link Education Trust says it plans to begin operating its new Rangiora Medical after hours, urgent care facility by the end of the year. More >>
North Canterbury Alternative Education At Risk, Again
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:16 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
An alternative education programme to support vulnerable youth is again at risk. More >>
Ōpōtiki Netball Courts To Get Much Needed Upgrade
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:12 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
New asphalt is expected to be laid in November on the three courts closest to the road, which are in the worst condition. More >>
Boulders Blamed For Increase In Illegal Parking
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:09 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
With the aim of creating a safer, more accessible, aesthetic and pedestrian-friendly town centre, the Church Street improvements included a raised hump with a paving stone surface to slow traffic. More >>
Te Arawa Lakes Trust Cuts 15 Jobs, Blames Decades Of Underfunding
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 1:53 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor backs trust's underfunding claims as review of Crown funding looms. More >>
Council Forced To Choose Voting System It May Never Use
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:41 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Under the Government's proposed Head Start reform, Environment Southland would join 10 other regional councils in ceasing to exist sometime before the 2028 local elections. More >>
Petition Calls For Roundabouts At Dangerous Manawatū Intersections
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:38 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The petition was launched online by the Manawatū District Residents and Ratepayers Association last week alongside Dyer’s on-the-ground efforts in the town. More >>
'Iconic National' Road Thrown A Funding Lifeline
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:34 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Fran Wilde has welcomed the move as “an early Christmas present for local residents, district ratepayers and the Council”. More >>
Fairer Or Harder? Auckland Council Sticks With Alphabetical Ballots
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:31 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and councillors Lotu Fuli and Ken Turner supported retaining alphabetical ordering, saying it was familiar and simple for voters. More >>
Council Offers Help With Taranaki Maunga Park Plan
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:27 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The council's Policy and Planning Committee on Tuesday offered the expertise of council policy staff to assist in shaping the management plan - He Kawa Ora mō Te Papa-kura-o-Taranaki. More >>
