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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Repairing Historic Tararua Bridge Costs More Than Replacement
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 6:07 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Assessments were underway to weigh up the costs and benefits of each option and the risks of retaining the nearly century old bridge. More >>
Unity Crucial In Council Upheavals, Say Māori Staff
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:37 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Taituarā – the organisation for local government officers – meets in New Plymouth this week and Māori council workers arrived early to get their programme underway. More >>
Wairarapa Briefs: Waiti Waters, Road Closure, GWRC Meeting
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Elected and appointed members would discuss the council’s 2027 Regional Land Transport Plan for which early community engagement period had been sought. More >>
Rates Capping No New Challenge Says Waitomo Mayor
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:26 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
The accountant-turned-politician said he’d urged his council to instruct staff to keep costs in line with inflation when possible. More >>
Re-Homing Wellington Museum Could Cost $15M
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:21 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Dating back to 1892 and designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, the Bond Store once homed the Wellington Harbour Board head offices. More >>
Auckland Council Primed For $18M Fuel Blowout
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:15 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The council budgeted for an extra $25m in fuel costs this financial year, but Tucker said the latest modelling put the additional cost at $43m. More >>
Rotorua-Led Tourism Collaborations Secure Share Of $5M Funding
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:11 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
RotoruaNZ will lead campaigns targeting Chinese, Australian and US visitors. More >>
'Asleep At The Wheel?': Floodgate Oversight Blamed For Greymouth Flooding
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 5:02 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Chief executive Darryl Lew said the report's purpose was to provide information on the rainfall during the two events and feedback from what the rain gauges had picked up. More >>
More Rowi Kiwi Released
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 4:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Six more juvenile Okarito rowi kiwi have been released into the Burster Range near Franz Josef Glacier. More >>
Government Road Funding Cuts Will Cost Tararua Nearly $1.3M
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 4:52 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
FAR were funded through the National Land Transport Fund and applied to approved land transport activities which ultimately supported local government to pay for roading improvements. More >>
'Walls In Schools' Not A Quick Fix, Says Education Ministry
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:56 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Eight North Canterbury schools will get the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Education to redesign their open-plan classrooms, but installing the walls will take some time. More >>
Plan Change 'Future Proofs' Kaikōura's Growth
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A plan change for Kaikōura's Ocean Ridge sub-division means there is room to grow for decades to come. More >>
New Whitianga Pontoon Breaks Ground As $12.5m Esplanade Project Sinks
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:49 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Questioned for specific details for the Esplanade project cancellation, mayor Peter Revell said a more streamlined approach was needed to solely focus on health and safety concerns. More >>
Porirua Council Plans To Abandon Draft Policy To Buy Out, Upgrade Flood-Prone Homes
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:46 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The council’s policy, planning and regulatory services general manager Nic Etheridge said the latest flood mapping showed 2100 properties in the city that were potentially vulnerable to flooding. More >>
Regional Council Discusses Reducing Stake In Bluff Port Despite Record Profit
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5:26 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The council has been looking to reduce its stake in the Bluff port since at least 2024 when it consulted with the community on dropping ownership to 51 percent. More >>
More Than 650 Properties Under Investigation In Mackenzie
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 4:20 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The council launched a compliance programme to tackle the issue, and confirmed it had appointed an officer to investigate short-term accommodation listings in the district in July. More >>
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:09 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
While the Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable Trust is grateful for every dollar during the tough times funding agencies face nationally, its chief executive says $400,000 is simply not enough to restore the track to previous heights. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 10:04 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Blade Masters, on Market St, relied on walk-in clients and that could be 70 or 80 people per week, Newton-Broadbent said. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:50 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura District Council is weighing up the cost of participating in forming a Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan, while it awaits a decision on its proposal to merge with Marlborough. More >>
Tararua Braces For An ‘Intense’ El Niño Season
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 9:32 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Conditions were already dry and early messaging from Tararua District Council’s group operations manager included : “If you’ve got a pool to fill, do it now while it’s still raining.” More >>
