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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Civic Award For Long-Time Women’s Well-Being Volunteer
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:36 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Penny Molnar has become the second person to be bestowed with the Nelsonian Civic Award for her decades of service to the city. More >>
From Aviation To Viticulture: Marlborough Students Test-Drive Future Careers
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:25 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The event was supported by Rapid Relief Team, which provided community and emergency support from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, who served 1750 sausages and 550 burgers as well as tea and coffee to attendees. More >>
Bid To Review Kāpiti Coast Climate Emergency Declaration Fails
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:19 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
In May 2019, the council unanimously passed a motion made by then-mayor K Gurunathan to declare a climate emergency. More >>
Firearms And Smashed Glass: What Employees Faced At One Southern Council
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:15 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Notable situations were captured in a recent Environment Southland report which also showed the organisation had struggled to find a new health and safety manager. More >>
Southland's Nitrate Data Goes Online Amid Concerns
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 10:01 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
In May, Greenpeace raised concerns after undertaking testing in Lumsden, and asked all district councils to make their results public — a call which has been answered by Southland District Council. More >>
Labour Slams Council Reforms As 'Messy, Watered-Down'
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:57 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Last month, the Government gave councils three months to come up with amalgamation plans, in a bid to cut the complexity and costs of local government. More >>
‘Our Voice Should Not Count For Less’: Carterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:39 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Over the coming days, Carterton District Council will be releasing benchmarking data around potential rates costs under amalgamation and opening a public survey, before community information sessions begin on June 22. More >>
'All Options Remain On The Table': Masterton Mayor
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:20 am | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
A survey across Masterton asking people about their priorities for amalgamation had already attracted more than 370 responses. More >>
Deputy Mayor Backs Manurewa Arts Space To Create 'More Anapelas, More Velas'
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:08 am | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council Head of Community Delivery - South Kim Taunga said council was aware of interest from community leaders in having more performing arts spaces available in Manurewa. More >>
Vaping In Kaikōura Council's Sights
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:56 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is reviewing its smoke-free policy and is considering including vaping restrictions. More >>
Costs Down But Rates Up, Wairarapa Amalgamation Report Hints
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:51 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wairarapa unitary authority model would deliver on both district and regional services across Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa, and was one option being explored to address the Government’s amalgamation ultimatum. More >>
'He Was A Rock': Tributes Flow For Porirua Councillor Mike Duncan
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:47 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
A Porirua City Council spokesperson said details of a by-election to fill the now-vacant seat would be announced in due course. More >>
Rent Rise On The Cards For Pensioner Housing Units In Mid Canterbury
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 8:14 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The council currently charges 55% of the market rate for some of its 102 elderly persons housing units, but is looking at increasing it to an 80% minimum. More >>
Invasive Caulerpa Seaweed Reaches Whangārei Harbour For First Time, Horrifying Locals
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:38 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
About a square metre of the seaweed has been found in Whangārei Heads’ Smugglers Bay, on the north side of the harbour entrance. More >>
Small Town Has 'Cuppa With A Councillor' To Talk Amalgamation Concerns
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 7:05 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Those who didn’t produce a pathway or had theirs rejected, would face Back Stop - the Government’s mandatory process which would be finalised in 2027 and further explained after Head Start. More >>
Costs Down But Rates Up, Wairarapa Amalgamation Report Hints
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:58 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wairarapa unitary authority model would deliver on both district and regional services across Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa, and was one option being explored to address the Government’s amalgamation ultimatum. More >>
Cloudy Future For Ngāti Maru Deals With Taranaki Councils
Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 6:52 am | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
The iwi is close to confirming a pair of draft agreements setting out how Ngāti Maru and the council will collaborate in future. More >>
Boat Ramp Fees A Prickly Issue For Fishers
Monday, 15 June 2026, 3:00 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakatāne District Council was warned of the potential backlash during a hearing for its new fees and charges schedule on Wednesday, but Mayor Nandor Tanczos and most councillors were prepared to take the risk. More >>
Proposed New Burial Charge ‘Culturally Insensitive’
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:53 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
“We, as Māori, will never walk away from an open grave. It is culturally insensitive,” said councillor Tu O’Brien during deliberations on the fees and charges schedule for 2026-2027. More >>
New Pool Charges Unpopular With Some In Whakatāne
Monday, 15 June 2026, 2:47 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The council is proposing raising the entry fees to keep up with rising operating costs and to align with comparable facilities across New Zealand. More >>
