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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
‘Thrilling’: Young Kiwi Sighting A Milestone For Iwi Restoration Efforts
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 2:26 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in Waikato and the iwi Ngāti Koroki Kahukura began the translocation programme in March. More >>
Flood River Shingle To Fill In Kaikōura Sawmill Site
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 2:21 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura-based contractor Richard Watherston, who is project managing the work, said consents had been obtained from the Kaikōura District Council. More >>
‘Almost Insulting’ – Nelson Businesses Dub Council Rates Offer Tokenistic
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 2:15 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The lengthy upgrade of Bridge Street has left businesses struggling, but a rates deferral measure aimed at providing relief has underwhelmed businesses and landlords. More >>
'Not A Pleasant Activity': City Cyclists Feeling Less Safe - Survey
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 2:05 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Safety perceptions particularly fell among 18-34-year-olds, and those in Mount Maunganui - the only ward where more than half of respondents said they cycled. More >>
The Fight Over Sun, Shade And Napier’s Six-story High-density Future
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 1:58 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Napier City Council has proposed allowing non-notified six-storey developments on dozens of streets near the central city and Taradale under its new District Plan, which is currently going through 12 separate Environment Court appeals. More >>
Hastings Gets More Than $20,000 Boost From Travelling Light-And-Sound Show
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 1:50 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Illuminate hit the mark, with thousands of people enjoying Splash Planet after dark, with colourful displays, interactive attractions, rides and food trucks. More >>
Senior Upper Hutt Council Official Becomes Chief Executive
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 1:46 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
“I care deeply about the Upper Hutt community and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Mayor and Councillors to deliver positive outcomes for Upper Hutt,” said Kate Thomson. More >>
Kaipara's Last-minute Bid For Three Northland Councils Submitted
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 1:00 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaipara proposal says the council’s approach offers a balanced solution that supports effective regional outcomes, protects local voice, and provides a sustainable governance framework for the future of Northland. More >>
Sun Shines For 13 Gisborne Schools In $30m Solar Scheme
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 12:53 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Schools were selected based on energy efficiency, higher energy costs, resilience needs and upcoming gas or diesel boiler replacements, said East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick. More >>
Rotorua Councillor Shares Why She Voted Against Both Reform Options
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:43 am | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua explored a succession of potential partnerships, with Taupō, South Waikato, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Kawerau and Western Bay of Plenty all entering the conversation at different points. More >>
Plans For Three Bay Of Plenty Unitary Councils In Disarray
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:38 am | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Eastern Bay of Plenty councils all agreed last week to submit a proposal for the Eastern Bay unitary council. More >>
Ohakune Residents Demand Answers After Reservoir Runs Dry
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:32 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Ohakune Ratepayer and Residents Society chair Barry Murphy wants answers as to why the community was not given enough information about a major break in the pipeline, and the resulting critical drop in reservoir levels, until too late. More >>
Wairarapa Councils Split On Merger Proposals
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:27 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Both the Wairarapa and Wellington-Wairarapa proposals were submitted to Cabinet on Sunday. More >>
North Canterbury Unitary Council Proposal Lodged
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:24 am | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Five proposals involving Canterbury councils have been submitted into the Government's Head Start pathway. More >>
Invercargill Council Feeling The Gravity Of Amalgamation Process
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 10:16 am | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
A separate Local Government Commission investigation is already underway in Southland examining both one and two-council options for the region. More >>
Fixing ‘Immediate Risk’ At Waihī Pool Will Cost $100,000
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 8:53 am | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The existing gas chlorinator was the reason for an evacuation last year and is an “immediate health and safety risk to both operators and users of the facility”, according to a Hauraki District Council agenda. More >>
What If I’m Central Hawke’s Bay’s Last Mayor? Will Foley On Juggling Family, Farm And Reforms
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 8:40 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
It’s been almost 10 months since Will Foley was elected mayor of the rural district, 50km south of Hastings, defeating incumbent Alex Walker, who had held the seat for nine years, by 1645 votes. More >>
Amalgamation: Welcome To The Jungle
Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 8:33 am | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
t a mayoral forum on Friday, mayors across the wider Wellington region agreed on a joint position that not every council agreed with the proposals and their views would be respected and would be “conveyed faithfully” in the proposal outlines. More >>
From Grave To Grove: Natural Burial Sites Proposed For Tairāwhiti
Monday, 10 August 2026, 7:19 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
The Natural Burials Tairāwhiti Advocacy group has proposed Ormond and Pātūtahi cemeteries for natural burial use where plants, flat stones or GPS co-ordinates mark grave sites. More >>
Nelson’s New Arts Hub ‘A Place Of Possibility’
Monday, 10 August 2026, 7:15 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Named Tāwera, the hub formally opened on Friday morning, coming in under its $1.25 million budget. More >>
