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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Rotorua Museum Closure: Council Spends More Than $300k A Year To Store $21.5m Art Collection
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:30 pm | Mathew Nash - Local Democracy Reporter
The council holds 2878 works of art, including 1526 donated pieces, and stores 348 works owned by other parties. More >>
Cost Blowout For New Waikato Football Turf Revealed To Be $500k
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:26 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The council-owned community turf is the first of its kind in Waikato and third overall, the region's first two being privately owned by Hamilton Marist Rugby Club and Hamilton Girls’ High School. More >>
Calls To Put Seatoun Back On Wellington Harbour Ferry Map
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:21 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Ferries operated by East By West travelling to Seatoun were suspended in July 2021 when the Wellington City Council closed Seatoun Wharf for repairs. More >>
Council Manager's Honest Admission: We Don't Know Where All Our Pipes Are
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:12 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Southland District Council strategic manager water and waste Kevin Johnson made the admission during a meeting on Wednesday where he provided an update to councillors. More >>
‘We Have To Push Back’: Mackenzie Residents Meet Over Solar Expansion
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:06 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Murdoch’s presentation outlined the proposed Balmoral Station, Grampians, Point Solar, Twizel Solar and Bright Fern Energy projects, as well as the recently consented Haldon Station solar project. More >>
Hurunui Mayor Backs Non-Elected Committee Members Who Risk Losing Vote
Monday, 17 August 2026, 6:03 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says if legislation passes removing voting rights for non-elected members on council committees it will cause a rethink for her council. More >>
Alcohol Rules Under Review In Kaikōura
Monday, 17 August 2026, 5:57 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Kaikōura District Council is reviewing its local alcohol policy. More >>
Dog Owners Face Charges After Pāpāmoa Attacks
Monday, 17 August 2026, 11:00 am | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
The committee decided to keep both dogs at the pound until prosecution. Popata-Kaitoa is facing three charges under the Dog Control Act for owning a dog that attacked. More >>
Tākaka Home For Historic Waka Confirmed
Monday, 17 August 2026, 10:40 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The Anaweka waka’s home will be in Golden Bay after Tasman District Council agreed that a wharewaka could be built on the site of a pioneers’ memorial. More >>
Hastings Rottweiler Attack: ‘I’m Going To Die Here’
Monday, 17 August 2026, 10:33 am | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
“I felt those teeth sink into my upper arm, and I was like, oh my God, it’s just broken my arm," said Sophie Greer. “At the next jump it got Lottie’s tail & yanked her. I went down too because I knew, if I let her go, she’d be mauled,” she added. More >>
Alpine Fault Quake Could Split Tekapo In Two
Monday, 17 August 2026, 10:21 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Jan Spriggs asked what would happen if the district’s leaders were cut off from leading the emergency response. More >>
Ruapehu Residents Weigh In On Future Of Council Services As Financial Pressures Mount
Monday, 17 August 2026, 10:13 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The review asked residents not only what services they valued, but whether council should be involved in providing them at all and, if so, at what level. More >>
Election 2026: Wellington Councillors Run For Minor Parties
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:57 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
ACT and NZ First are fielding Wellington regional councillors as electorate candidates in November’s general election. At the Kāpiti Coast, NZ First has confirmed regional councillor Penny Gaylor will stand in the newly-created Kāpiti electorate, ... More >>
Shane Jones Blasts Combined West Coast District Plan As 'Waste Of Time'
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:55 pm | Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter
Drafted over the past five years, the TTPP was currently in the mediation process with appellants. More >>
Carterton Hopes To Turn Sunshine Into Savings
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:51 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The work comes after the council invested $440,000 of government funding into building a small-scale solar farm on Gallon Rd to power its wastewater treatment site in 2024. More >>
Gisborne District Council Seeks Independent Review Into Forestry Systems
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:47 pm | Imogen Brophy - Local Democracy Reporter
Barrister Chris Finlayson, a former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and arbitrator (counsel in commercial and industry disputes), will chair the review panel. More >>
Solar On Schools In Line With Kaikōura's Dark Sky Status - Principal
Friday, 14 August 2026, 5:44 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Two Kaikōura schools have been listed as being eligible for the Government's $30m solar on schools programme. More >>
Far North Councillor's Parliamentary Bid May Force $100k By-Election
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:22 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
An Act Party spokesperson confirmed Smolders had been selected as a list candidate and had informed the Far North District Council (FNDC) of her intentions. More >>
Details Of Bids To Help Struggling Fiordland Airport Kept Under Wraps
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:08 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Democracy Reporting then contacted Great South, which said it was contracting itself to the council and was subject to a non-disclosure agreement. More >>
Rangatahi Given The Final Say On $120,000 In Auckland Funding
Friday, 14 August 2026, 4:03 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Participatory budgeting differs from traditional consultation by giving communities a direct role in deciding how funding is allocated, rather than simply providing feedback. More >>
