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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Twizel Landlord Drops 'Airbnb Dream' For Worker Housing
Monday, 7 September 2026, 6:08 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The district has come under scrutiny this year for its lack of affordable long-term housing, with Mackenzie District Council reporting struggles to recruit staff in March because of the shortage. More >>
Spatial Planning Could Impose High Costs On Small North Canterbury Councils
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:40 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Government has proposed legislation that would require councils to implement a rates cap of between 2% and 4% in next year’s Long Term Plan, which will take effect from 2029. More >>
Planes Could Spook Horses If New Racecourse Built, Aero Club Warns
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:37 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
The Bridge Pa aerodrome has operated since 1932 and hosts about 40,000 aircraft movements annually, as well as 54 hangar buildings housing about 100 aircraft. More >>
Central Blenheim Revamp Tests Businesses As Barber Shop Falls By The Wayside
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:32 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
Two weeks after construction work started, Newton-Broadbent decided to close the shop while she considered the impact. More >>
Hauraki Rail Trail Secures $400k For Repairs, More Still Needed
Monday, 7 September 2026, 5:28 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The trail reopened during Easter weekend after sustaining severe damage during Cyclone Gabrielle and the January storms, leaving many parts of the track at a walk-only safety level to this day. More >>
Taupō Mayor John Funnell Says Rates Capping Will Not Be Without ‘Trade-Offs’
Monday, 7 September 2026, 2:33 pm | Bronson Perich - Local Democracy Reporter
Local Government Minister Simon Watts issued an edict saying that from 2029, councils could not raise rates beyond an average of 4% a year. More >>
'Generations Of Hurt': Whanganui Treaty Settlement Clears Final Hurdle After Nine Years Of Negotiations
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:56 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Nine years of negotiations between Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown came to a close as settlement legislation passed its final reading in Parliament on Thursday. More >>
Kāpiti Coast Council Throws Backing Behind Ratepayer Loan Scheme
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:52 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Kāpiti Coast district councillors agreed at a Thursday meeting to express in-principle support for the RAS. More >>
One Of Auckland’s Most Ticketed Streets Sees A Big Drop In Infringements
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:49 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
Last year Onehunga Mall was the second-highest ticketed street in Auckland, racking up 8782 parking tickets, and the sixth overall for revenue generated with a whopping $196,308 collected in infringement fees. More >>
Why Rockfall Was Largely Left Out Of New Mount Maunganui Slip Risk Study
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:46 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
In a Wednesday meeting, Tauranga City councillors heard more information was needed about rockfall risks, which were largely left out of the landslide report. More >>
Ashburton Council Fails To Deliver All Its Projects On Time, Again
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:41 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
With the Government introducing a 2-4% rates cap, councils are under pressure to be efficient with spending and delivery. More >>
Public Behaviour Greatest Risk For Whakatāne Council Staff
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:38 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Health, safety and wellbeing manager Dickie De Klerk presented a report on incidents over the past quarter to the finance, performance and risk committee recently. More >>
New Masterton Town Hall Hangs In The Balance
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:34 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The old Masterton Town Hall was closed in 2016 due to its earthquake-prone status and demolished earlier this year, but plans for its replacement have caused years of debate. More >>
Current And Could-Be Porirua Councillors Employed By Same Local Charity
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:31 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Jess Te Huia is running in the Onepoto ward by-election, after the sudden death of Mike Duncan in June. More >>
Hanmer Campground Bounces Back After School Gastro Outbreak
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:26 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Hanmer Springs Forest Camp was rocked by a bout of gastrointestinal illnesses and extreme winds last year. More >>
Wairoa’s Floods Help Drive Change To Emergency Management Law
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:23 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell said he had been with communities like Wairoa that raised genuine concerns about the speed at which its river mouth was being opened. More >>
Rangiora After Hours Medical Facility On Track To Open Before Christmas
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:19 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The South Link Education Trust says it plans to begin operating its new Rangiora Medical after hours, urgent care facility by the end of the year. More >>
North Canterbury Alternative Education At Risk, Again
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:16 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
An alternative education programme to support vulnerable youth is again at risk. More >>
Ōpōtiki Netball Courts To Get Much Needed Upgrade
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:12 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
New asphalt is expected to be laid in November on the three courts closest to the road, which are in the worst condition. More >>
Boulders Blamed For Increase In Illegal Parking
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 2:09 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
With the aim of creating a safer, more accessible, aesthetic and pedestrian-friendly town centre, the Church Street improvements included a raised hump with a paving stone surface to slow traffic. More >>
