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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Feilding Ditches Town Centre Cover, But Last-Minute Alternative Suggestion Wins Support
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 1:04 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
A permanent cover wouldn’t be installed, but mayor Michael Ford suggested trialling a $25,000 marquee next winter to test the value of weatherproofing the site. More >>
Carterton Rates Shake-Up: New Tool Shows Impact On Ratepayers
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 12:49 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton Mayor Steve Cretney said the new tool was designed to help people understand how the proposals could affect their own properties. More >>
Closed-Door Debate On New Masterton Town Hall
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 11:52 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
“While the budget covers the cost of a fully functioning venue, we have heard there is interest from the community in supporting fundraising efforts for the Town Hall,” said Mayor Bex Johnson. More >>
Selwyn Appoints Mana Whenua Representative As Government Axes Voting Rights
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 11:48 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Mayor Lydia Gliddon said the council already made the unanimous decision they wished to have a mana whenua representative in March, and it was an “important moment for our council” to be accepting the person put forward by Te Taumutu Rūnanga. More >>
Menacing Dogs Jump Fence And Bite Woman In Ōpōtiki
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:50 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Awhina Kurei received three bites to her legs and says she has lost the sense of safety she formerly felt on the streets of her hometown. More >>
International Visitor Levy Welcomed, But Here's What's Missing
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:32 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
“While tourism brings many benefits, it also puts extra pressure on infrastructure & services, particularly in places like Waihī Beach where visitor numbers can exceed the resident population during peak holidays,” said Western Bay Mayor James Denyer More >>
$14.9 Million Decision Point For Whakatāne War Memorial Hall
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:21 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The hall renewal work is just one part of a greater $107 million plan to upgrade the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub, which also includes Rex Morpeth and Rugby parks, the athletics field, the aquatic centre and The Art House. More >>
Ōpōtiki Defers Decision On Joint Water Services
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:12 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Ōpōtiki council agreed to defer any consultation until they had a clear direction about whether the Eastern Bay councils' Head Start proposal would be accepted by the Government as part of its local government reform process. More >>
Ōpōtiki Defers Decision On Joint Water Services
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 10:10 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Ōpōtiki council agreed to defer any consultation until they had a clear direction about whether the Eastern Bay councils' Head Start proposal would be accepted by the Government as part of its local government reform process. More >>
'Mincing Up Tuna': Deaths Of Nearly 200 Eels Spark Investigation
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9:38 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Eels appear to be running foul of pump stations along their river migration route. More >>
New Community Playground For Kaipara's Tiny Te Kōpuru
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9:34 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The redevelopment in the tiny settlement of 550 people by Kaipara District Council incorporates elements of the previous playground, with most of the timber and one of the existing bridges reused as part of the upgrade. More >>
Kaikōura To Get $835,000 Share Of International Visitor Levy
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9:32 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury councils react to news International Visitor Levy funds will finally be shared with local government. More >>
Reform Costs Mounting For North Canterbury Councils
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9:28 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council faced a hefty bill during local government reform process. More >>
'Basically No Option': Rural Parents Fear Kindergarten Closure
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 7:25 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The centre, at Whāngārā off State Highway 35 about 30 minutes north of Gisborne, will have 17 children enrolled at the beginning of next year. Twenty have to attend daily under ECE funding models. More >>
Waipu's 'Kamikaze Corner' Could Become $1M Roundabout
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 7:20 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors will decide whether to approve an unbudgeted $100,000 for detailed design work on the roundabout, which is estimated to ultimately cost between $500,000 and $1 million. More >>
Safety Upgrades Aimed At Slowing Drivers On Popular Piha Road
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 7:11 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Transport is looking into installing speed bumps and Share with Care signs at Glenesk Road, the only pedestrian access way to the popular Kitekite Falls attraction at the Waitākere Ranges. More >>
New Bus Service Aims To Ease Tourist Traffic In Tekapo
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 7:02 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Tekapo Bus Limited was founded by Matt Murphy, a Tekapo resident of 20 years and former Mackenzie District councillor, and will start its new service next month. More >>
Mount Maunganui Slip: Public Meeting To Be Held On Recovery Progress
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 6:59 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The community will hear from elected members and the project team, who will give an overview of findings from the recently completed Quantitative Landslide Risk Assessment (QLRA) on Mauao. More >>
‘Hoons’ Damage Section Of Feilding Cemetery
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 6:56 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Two youths were spoken to by the police that evening after being spotted in a nearby car, but there was “insufficient evidence to link them to the damage to the lawn”, the spokesperson said. More >>
Tolaga Bay Wharf Full Inspection Scheduled Amid Ongoing Structural Concerns
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 6:53 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Tolaga Bay resident and Uawa Civil Defence area manager Greg Shelton said the community felt like “we’re kind of hitting our heads against a brick wall”. More >>
