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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
'Break The Chains': Lakes Trust Seeks $2m Lifeline From Regional Council
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:55 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The trust chairman says the money would support a reset after its restructuring. More >>
Assault, Racial Abuse Claims Emerge After Tokoroa School Rugby Team’s Ban
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:50 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
St Peter’s head of school Jason Speedy said staff members at the game “never heard this sort of language” from either players or supporters, adding there would be “immediate and serious consequences” if it was found. More >>
ECan Backs Kaikōura Flood Recovery, Calls For Government Support
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:42 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury is facing a large funding shortfall has looks to support Kaikōura's flood recovery, while waiting for for the Government to step up. More >>
Panmure’s Landmark Sign Returns But Not To Its ‘Spiritual Location’
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:38 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
“I’m happy the sign is going up but I’m not happy that the sign is going up at another place,” said Resident Kerry Brady. More >>
Two More Central Picton Car Parks Make Way For Outdoor Dining
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:27 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough Sounds ward councillor Barbara Faulls said she did not oppose the proposal but the council’s current method of giving car parks to hospitality businesses was “ad hoc” and needed rethinking. More >>
'Everywhere Stinks': Residents Question Council's Response To Smelly Compost Site
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:14 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Neighbours said the smell from a composting site in Gisborne was "soul-destroying". More >>
Get Your Skates On: Nuit Blanche Returns To Napier
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:06 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Council-owned Bay Skate manager Kyle Hamilton said “if you can walk you can skate” so “come and have a go”. More >>
Porirua Park Spectator Stand Costed At $20 Million
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:01 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
They said a business case was needed to confirm the figures, or even a high-level feasibility assessment to determine whether the project should be included in the long-term plan. More >>
Flawed Fault Overlay Challenged In Wairarapa District Plan
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 11:55 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Mapping in the Proposed Wairarapa Combined District Plan indicated the properties were intersected by active traces of the Te Maire Fault. Having a property mapped within a Fault Hazard Area created significant planning hurdles. More >>
‘Very Close’: $2m Boost Brings Rotorua Museum Reopening In Sight
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 11:49 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Council says Rotorua Museum “very close” to exhibition funding. More >>
Survey Reveals Highs And Lows Of Working At Southland Councils
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 11:16 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Southland’s June survey — the most recent to be released in the region — was provided to Local Democracy Reporting and showed an overall score of 60% satisfaction. More >>
Forced Merger Proposal Process All For Nothing – Tūrangi Councillor
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 11:14 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
After sending councils into a sudden frenzy of forced marriage-like proposals, the Government this week deferred making decisions on council amalgamation until after the election. More >>
Ōtorohanga Mayor: Local Government Reform Delay ‘A Bit Like The Wahs’
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:53 am | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Ōtorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow told Local Democracy Reporting the delay did not come as a surprise, and it had him comparing politics to rugby league. More >>
Gisborne Forestry Facilitator Hopeful Talks Will Conclude Ahead Of Schedule
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:28 am | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Forestry Minister Todd McClay appointed Doug Leeder to help reset the “fractured” relationship between foresters, iwi, Gisborne District Council and other stakeholders. More >>
Daylight Savings Prompts Warning Of Summer Weather Surprises
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:24 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council’s emergency management general manager Adam Maggs said summer in Auckland this year was likely to bring windy, dry and unpredictable weather, due to the El Niño weather pattern. More >>
Tauranga Mayor 'Disappointed' As Govt Delays Reform Decisions
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:20 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga City Council spent more than $4600 on workshops and $48,000 on its community survey – $52,600, excluding GST. More >>
Wellington's Private Dog Park Can’t Lose Noise Restrictions
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:17 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The push to scrap noise rule R7, which limits commercial dog parks to operating between 7am and 7pm in the capital, emerged from what has become a bureaucratic labyrinth. More >>
Northland's $7m Tsunami Siren Network To Be Tested On Sunday
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:11 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
More than 90 outdoor Danish-designed tsunami sirens will sound once only across coastal communities, at 10am for up to two minutes, as part of the network's six-monthly testing programme. More >>
Reform Decision ‘Deeply Frustrating’ - Tanczos
Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 9:07 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
In May, district and city councils were given three months to put together proposals to restructure into larger unitary councils with Cabinet due to decide this month whether to accept the proposals. More >>
Ngāti Rangi Blasts Horizons Over Complaints Process After Young Iwi Leader Cleared Of Conflict Concerns
Monday, 28 September 2026, 5:31 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Ngāti Rangi says Horizons Regional Council damaged both its relationship with the iwi and the reputation of one of its young leaders when it launched an investigation into councillor Elijah Pue. More >>
