Local Democracy Reporting

Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.

• Auckland Transport tight-lipped over Drury redevelopment

  New Zealand transport

  

  Auckland Transport says any future funding for projects related to the redevelopment of Drury will have to be looked at as part of the next Regional Land Transport Plan which will be signed off in…

  Auckland Transport tight-lipped over Drury redevelopment

• Contamination risk worries on East Coast as rubbish clean-up continues

  environment East Coast

  

  A landfill breach that has left an East Coast beach littered with junk and a community reeling is another wake-up call over the dangers posed by long-forgotten dumps.

  Contamination risk worries on East Coast as rubbish clean-up continues

• Mental health admissions will spike post-lockdown - DHB

  New Zealand Covid-19

  

  An increase in demand for mental health services is expected as people grapple with unemployment and the pressures of the post-lockdown environment.

  Mental health admissions will spike in post-lockdown environment – DHB

• Greytown losing 39% of water through infrastructure leaks

  New Zealand Wellington Region

  

  Wellington Water, which took over South Wairarapa's water maintenance last year, has revealed that the town is suffering huge water losses.

  Greytown losing 39% of water through infrastructure leaks - Wellington Water

• Hospital staff could be sweating it over ACs for another 10 years

  New Zealand health

  

  Hawke's Bay Hospital says the best solution for air conditioning in its wards could be 10 years away, despite doctors' urgent concerns.

  Hawke's Bay Hospital: 'Vexed issue of air-conditioning' may take 10 years for long-term fix

• Council trumpets strong relations with China province during pandemic

  New Zealand Covid-19

  

  A gift of face masks to the Whakatāne community proves how strong its relationship is with its friendship province in China, the district council says.

  Council trumpets strong relations with China province during Covid-19 pandemic

• Tahr and deer numbers ‘out of control’ on West Coast

  New Zealand Environment

  

  Both tahr and deer numbers are now spiralling out of control in Westland, according to Conservation Authority member, Dr Gerry McSweeney.

  Tahr and deer numbers ‘out of control’ on West Coast

• Move to outlaw moa bone, extinct species sales wins Conservation Board backing

  New Zealand Te Ao Māori

  about 1 hour ago

  

  The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board is backing a move by the government to ban the sale of moa bones.

  Move to outlaw moa bone, extinct species sales wins Conservation Board backing

• Concerns about how larger ferries might impact roads

  New Zealand Marlborough

  

  The Marlborough District Council is concerned the NZTA is downplaying the impact larger ferries will have on Picton's roads.

  Council concerned NZTA downplaying impact of larger ferries on Picton’s roads

• Heritage status proposed for Howick's Stockade Hill

  Te Ao Māori

  

  A Heritage New Zealand report has recommended granting Howick's Stockade Hill Category 2 heritage status due to its links to the New Zealand land wars and the two World Wars.

  Report recommends heritage status for Howick site linked to Waikato War

• Marlborough representatives' first pay rise in decade 'reflects the skills'

  New Zealand

  

  Community representatives with 43 years of council experience have received their first pay rise in over a decade.

  Marlborough representatives' first pay rise in decade 'reflects the skills'

• Street names' colonial roots enshrined in council policy

  East Coast

  

  Sailors on the Endeavour, colonial figures and British landmarks get priority when it comes to naming streets in some parts of Gisborne.

  Gisborne street names' colonial roots enshrined in council policy

• Public to get say on massive development projects in Drury

  New Zealand Auckland Region

  

  Some Auckland councillors are concerned with how the city is going to pay for the billions of dollars worth of infrastructure that will be needed to support it.

  Public to get say on massive development projects in Drury

• Rural councils' job scheme extended

  New Zealand Covid-19

  

  A successful pilot scheme to bring jobs to Wairarapa in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown has been expanded and extended.

  Rural councils' job scheme extended

• Marlborough septic tank scheme too costly, say residents

  New Zealand Marlborough

  

  Community groups are appealing a new scheme which aims to stop septic tanks leaking human waste into the Marlborough Sounds.

  Marlborough septic tank scheme too costly, say residents

• West Coast conservation board back on track after iwi standoff

  Te Ao Māori Environment

  

  The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board is back on track after a six-month impasse with Ngāi Tahu over Treaty principles.

  West Coast conservation board back on track after iwi standoff

• Cash boost for Wairarapa waterways

  New Zealand environment

  

  A multi-million dollar programme for environmental work across some of Wairarapa's major waterways has been given the green light.

  Cash boost for Wairarapa waterways

• Psychotic patient involved in stabbing transferred from emergency department

  health Auckland Region

  

  A psychotic patient who was involved in a stabbing and assault at Middlemore Hospital may have been transferred to a general ward due to capacity and resource constraints, a report has found.

  Psychotic patient involved in stabbing transferred from emergency department

• Supporters hope 'Book a Marae' will strengthen hapu

  New Zealand Business

  

  A te ao Māori answer to Airbnb looks set to provide marae with a constant revenue stream.

  Supporters hope 'Book a Marae' will strengthen hapu

• Council considers eco reef to act as coastal defence

  New Zealand

  

  South Wairarapa District Council is keen to trial a new man-made "Eco Reef" system as it looks to enhance Palliser Bay beaches and preserve roading close to the coast.

  Council considers eco reef to act as coastal defence

• Battle to take land for $40m power line reaches Appeal Court

  business energy

  

  Top Energy's long-running battle to build a $40 million power line from Kerikeri to Kaitaia has reached the Court of Appeal.

  Battle to take land for $40m power line reaches Appeal Court

• Carterton District Council staff take pay rise freeze

  New Zealand Wellington Region

  

  Andrea Darbyshire is one of dozens of Carterton District Council staffers who have agreed to a payrise freeze as the district responds to the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown.

  Carterton District Council staff take pay rise freeze

• Hopes high for West Coast flood protection funding

  New Zealand environment

  

  The West Coast wishlist of flood protection schemes looks set to be granted - at least in part after the government announced a $210 million investment in climate resilience.

  Hopes high for West Coast flood protection funding

• Wairarapa roading partnership opens new depot

  New Zealand Wellington Region

  

  A public-private roading enterprise between civil contractors Fulton Hogan and two Wairarapa districts opened in Carterton on Wednesday.

  Wairarapa roading partnership opens new depot