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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Disabled Aucklanders Help Shape City's Emergency Plans
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 4:43 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The pilot was developed following the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, after disabled communities identified shortcomings in emergency planning. More >>
Mauao Summit Track Repairs Completed As Base Track Recovery Begins
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 4:36 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Geologists and geotechnical engineers found 42 landslides on Mauao’s three main walking tracks, including 24 severe enough to require more than a simple clean-up to reinstate the track. More >>
Judge Throws Out Featherston Residents’ $2 Million Theft Claim Against Bank
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 4:32 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The bank indicated it was writing in its capacity as mortgagee, and that there was a risk the council could require the bank to meet the arrears. More >>
Councillors Refuse To Attend Board Meetings After Ahluwalia's Return
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 4:28 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Ahluwalia took a leave of absence in May after allegations about his conduct were referred to the SFO, but resumed his duties in late-June. More >>
Glass Pipes Sold Near Auckland Schools Spark Concerns
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 4:11 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Concerns were recently sparked in South Auckland after a resident posted in a local community Facebook group of a local shop selling glass pipes. More >>
Weak Economy Wipes Out Blenheim's 900-Home Shortfall
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:52 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The town was now projected to have 1350 more homes than it would need by 2055, a housing capacity assessment by the Marlborough District Council has found. More >>
Horizons Unitary Council: Low Marks For Maintaining Local Voice
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:47 pm | Rebecca Hogan - Local Democracy Reporter
From the advisory firm’s modelling, the Horizons unitary model scored weakly on the maintaining local voice criteria. More >>
Community Split Over City Centre Revitalisation Proposal With Nearly 100 Online Submissions
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:44 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
New planting, upgraded street lighting and prioritisation of events and markets were proposed to improve the city centre. More >>
Marlborough Sounds Road Repairs Produce $40m Surplus
Saturday, 18 July 2026, 2:37 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The programme was budgeted to cost $234m, with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi paying $100m, and the Marlborough District Council paying $104m through additional rates charges. More >>
Forest & Bird Can't Say How Many West Coasters Back Anti-Mine Petition
Friday, 17 July 2026, 6:03 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Democracy Reporting asked Forest and Bird for a breakdown to show how many had signed from the West Coast. More >>
DIY Sale: Bunnings Sale Not All About Bang For Ratepayers’ Buck
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:43 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The land is owned by Parish of St John Te Awamutu Trust but the building’s been left empty since May 2025, with rough sleepers occupying the area. More >>
Bluff Visitors Don't Like The Cold, Data Shows
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:39 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
New data commissioned by regional development agency Great South showed Airbnb occupancy in Bluff jumped from 23 - 35% in winter to 60 - 75% or more during summer. More >>
Auckland Homeowners Who Built Illegal Seawalls On Public Land Finally Get The Green Light
Friday, 17 July 2026, 5:36 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
One of the owners, Paul Dale, said he acted because of severe erosion and flooding threatening his property. More >>
Waimakariri Residents Favour North Canterbury Council - Survey
Friday, 17 July 2026, 10:11 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
A Waimakariri District Council survey found nearly 90 percent of 1688 responses favoured forming a North Canterbury or a Waimakariri stand-alone council. More >>
Water Project Is Not Being Fast-Tracked, For Now
Friday, 17 July 2026, 10:06 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Lake Sumner Sourced Water Project has been included on the former Ministry for the Environment website, but it will not be fast-tracked any time soon, an official says. More >>
Waikari Hospital Engagement Next Year
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:57 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Health NZ says it will engage with Hurunui residents next year over the future of healthcare in the community, including Waikari Hospital. More >>
Matakana Liquor Store Fights To Get Its Licence Back
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:28 am | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The store's representative brought up examples of past decisions handed down by ARLA which weren’t as harsh, arguing the cancellation of Micmat’s liquor licence did not give them room to redeem themselves. More >>
Hawke’s Bay Councils Back Unitary Authority Plan But Seek Local Voice
Friday, 17 July 2026, 9:16 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The resolutions passed by the councils follow weeks of investigation, workshops and early community engagement. More >>
Merger Momentum Builds As Marlborough Puts Kaikōura Proposal Directly To Community
Friday, 17 July 2026, 8:58 am | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council voted to create a merger proposal with Marlborough as part of the Government’s Head Start programme, which gave councils until August 9 to present proposals for amalgamation, or face the decision being made for them. More >>
Wellington Amalgamation Plan From MartinJenkins Based On Geography, Not Population
Friday, 17 July 2026, 8:48 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
MartinJenkins did not specify how many should sit on the regional authority and community councils, but did say the final number of community councils depend on how many councils remain in the amalgamation. More >>
