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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Councils Call For More Flood, Climate Resilience Funding From Next Government
Thursday, 29 October 2026, 11:40 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says councils cannot fund climate adaptation and disaster recovery on their own, and investing more in resilience would save money long-term. More >>
Selwyn's Gamble Pays Off As NZTA Commits To Fund Roundabout
Thursday, 29 October 2026, 11:35 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
Selwyn District Council brought the Springston-Rolleston Road and Selwyn Road project back into this year’s program in the hopes of securing NZTA co-funding at the end of the three-year funding cycle. More >>
Councillor Struggles To ‘See The Logic’ Behind Voting Rights Change
Thursday, 29 October 2026, 11:31 am | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
Councils would not be able to appoint iwi representatives, those under the age of 18 and other “unelected” members as full voting members on committees, and they would no longer count towards a meeting’s quorum. More >>
Master Weaver Calls For Revival Of Papa Whāriki At Whanganui River Marae
Thursday, 29 October 2026, 11:00 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Taurua's initiative aims to restore the practice while passing traditional knowledge to future generations. More >>
Councils Call For More Flood, Climate Resilience Funding From Next Government
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 1:11 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Local government leaders say they can't fund climate adaptation and disaster recovery on their own. More >>
Dairy Farmers Get In Behind Kaikōura’s Night Sky
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:52 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust has been working with local farmers to reduce light pollution from their dairy sheds. More >>
New Zealand's First Repair Hub Opens In Auckland
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:47 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Auckland Council Waste Solutions general manager Justine Haves said repair was becoming increasingly important to Auckland's journey towards a low-waste future. More >>
Gusty Wind Lifts Roof, Leaves Some Without Power In Marlborough
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:44 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
A weather station at Marlborough Airport recorded a strongest gust of 70kph at 5am on Tuesday. More >>
Selwyn Admits Dog Control Bylaw Expired Nearly Two Years Ago
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:20 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The dog control bylaw expired before a largely new council was voted onto Selwyn District Council in 2025. More >>
Costly Dilemma: $20m Price Tag To Replace South Wairarapa Bridge
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:16 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
It was previously used as an alternative access route into Martinborough when the State Highway 53 bridge was closed due to flooding. More >>
Southland Councils Pay Out Hundreds Of Thousands In Severance
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 12:12 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Names of the severance recipients were not included in the councils' annual reports, except for Falconer’s, due to the Local Government Act 2002 requiring chief executives to be included. More >>
Without 3G ‘Rural Mobile Coverage Has Gone Backwards’
Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 4:06 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
The mobile network was officially shut down at the end of March after a phased disconnection from the end of 2025, to replace it with newer generation 4G and 5G networks. More >>
King Country Rugby Union Backs Mangakino Sportsground Lighting Upgrade
Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 3:56 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Taupō district councillor Hope Woodward said she had heard of people using cars to light up the basketball court on Rangatira Drive when playing at night. More >>
Welcome Bay Resident Mows Overgrown State Highway Roundabout Grass
Monday, 26 October 2026, 4:01 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Robert Coe said it had been at least six months since the New Zealand Transport Agency mowed the grass island in the middle of the Hairini St/Welcome Bay Rd roundabout. More >>
Tairāwhiti Forestry Group Gets Wider Land-Use Transition Role
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:58 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Initial work will prioritise high-risk areas and work with landowners to address barriers such as harvesting risks, consent requirements and establishment costs. More >>
Council Decision On Controversial Northland Beach Vehicle Ban On Hold
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:39 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors will now undertake a four-wheel-drive inspection of Uretiti south beach in early November before deciding its future vehicle access. More >>
Police Take Strong Stand Against Bottle Shop Linked To Drug Dealing
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:35 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
According to the hearing documents, Alcohol Licensing Inspector Derek Haddy said the current owners of Thirsty Liquor Manurewa had pleaded guilty to selling opium in the bottle store, and were awaiting sentencing this month. More >>
Lower Hutt Emergency Hub Prepares Locals For Disaster
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:09 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The Wednesday afternoon open day, hosted by the Hutt City Council and the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO), was at Taita Central School, where the local community emergency hub is located. More >>
Mayor Boasts About NZ’s Original Fizzy Lemon Drink (It’s Not L&P)
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:06 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Twenty years before the Kiwiana staple came to be, Waikato neighbours Te Aroha created Lemon and Te Aroha (L&T), which hit lips in 1887 using water from the Mount Te Aroha spring. More >>
Workload Pressure Likely To Mount For Invercargill Councillors
Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:02 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
On Tuesday, a paper from mayor Tom Campbell will be tabled at a council meeting proposing all councillors be added to the Risk and Assurance Committee, and one councillor be added to the Water Committee. More >>
