Navigation for News Categories
Local Democracy Reporting
Featured Local Democracy Reporting stories
One Wairarapa council to rule them all? The mayors' view
Wairarapa mayors give their view on a range of changes affecting the future of local government.
-
'A gesture of courage': Whanganui hapū celebrate settlement milestone
5 Dec 2025Lead negotiator Ken Mair said the ceremony marked a major milestone in a "long and tiring" Treaty settlement journey.
-
Southland's waters warming faster than most
6 Dec 2025While the warmer waters may mean more enjoyable swimming temperatures, continued increases will be detrimental to a wide range of coastal ecosystems, including…
-
Canterbury Tuahiwi School opens new whare for 250 tamariki
5 Dec 2025The new Tūranga Tuarua hall at Te Kura o Tuahiwi allows assemblies, sports, and cultural events for 250 students.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
-
Controversial flag exhibit stolen from Hastings art gallery
5 Dec 2025A piece of artwork that prompted 101 complaints in a week has now been stolen from a Hastings art gallery.
-
Watch: Video offers first glimpse of Wairoa's planned flood spillway
5 Dec 2025After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, the Hawke's Bay town was given $70 million of Crown funding to provide the town with protection from future flooding.
-
Concerns over Rotorua Night Market trial as sales plummet
The council began the trial in October to save in costs, enable earlier summer trading and address health and safety concerns.
-
What is Local Democracy Reporting?
31 May 2021Find out more about the scheme and how to become a host newsroom or accredited media partner.
-
Health and safety paralysis holding back walkway - volunteers
4 Dec 2025About 100 people crowded into the Whakatāne District Council chambers on Wednesday in a show of support for the restoration of Ōhope Beach's iconic West End walkway.
-
Wairarapa council's green initiatives in full bloom
4 Dec 2025From no-mow trials in public parks to soft plastic recycling, Carterton council is adopting sustainable practices across its business units.
-
Code browns strike again in Invercargill pool
4 Dec 2025Last week, the learners pool closed for 1 hour 45 minutes due to a faecal contamination incident,
-
Suspicious fire engulfs multiple trucks overnight
4 Dec 2025Police are investigating a suspicious fire which damaged four vehicles at Invercargill's Queens Park in the early hours.
-
Rates cap puts future infrastructure projects at risk ‒ Marlborough mayor
4 Dec 2025Local government inflation was 3.3 percent this year, meaning almost all of a 4 percent rates cap would have been used to cover inflation, Nadine Taylor said.
-
New report maps landslide risks on West Coast
4 Dec 2025In a few weeks' time, West Coasters will be able to find out if their home - or one they're planning to buy - may be at risk of damage or even demolition in a landslide.
-
Rotokākahi pipeline planning grievances aired in High Court
4 Dec 2025The Rotokākahi Board of Control has aired its grievances at the High Court in Rotorua about the process to install a sewerage pipeline near a sacred lake. Rotorua Lakes Council's...
-
North Canterbury housing development drags on
4 Dec 2025The fate of a proposed North Canterbury housing development is no closer to being known, more than two years after it was first rejected.
-
Rates cap will hit tourism districts - Ruapehu mayor
4 Dec 2025The government's new rates cap will hit the most vulnerable, infrastructure-stressed councils hardest, Weston Kirton says.
-
'We've got one chance': Council leader blasts boat ramp call amid clam threat
3 Dec 2025The decision not to close the ramp at Lake Taharoa was made as the threat of invasive freshwater gold clams grows.
-
'Grinch' mayor may save Winter Festival
3 Dec 2025Max Brough who campaigned on a rates cap dressed as the Grinch in New Plymouth's Christmas Parade last weekend.
-
Rates cap divide: Ratepayers cheer as mayors urge caution
3 Dec 2025South Wairarapa Mayor Fran Wilde said more detail was needed from the government to answer important questions on the banded rates cap.
-
Crate Day revellers warned to watch for nesting birds
2 Dec 2025Environment Canterbury rangers, other agencies and volunteers will be out in force on Saturday to protect nesting birds on Crate Day.
-
'Please walk on me': NZ flag exhibition shocks councillor
2 Dec 2025The controversial installation includes a New Zealand flag laid on the floor, inviting people to "please walk on me".
-
Wairarapa to consider holiday hotspot booze ban
2 Dec 2025The issue is raised in a report to be put before Masterton's District Council on Wednesday.
-
Community rallies behind Castlepoint Hotel after liquor licence lost
1 Dec 2025The Hotel confirmed they closed the bar after hoping they would be able to keep serving alcohol while the appeals process was underway.
-
Second Marlborough swimming hole falls to flood damage
30 Nov 2025A second popular swimming spot in Marlborough will be closed this summer, due to flood repair works.
-
Councillors given up to $5500 for security after rise in threats
28 Nov 2025The allowance is one of a number available to elected officials as set out by the Remuneration Authority.
-
Kaipara leader urges Kai Iwi Lakes closure to protect against gold clam threat
28 Nov 2025Around 7500 people will be camping at Kai Iwi Lakes over summer.
-
Dog attack on child prompts call for on-leash areas in Kawerau
28 Nov 2025Several incidents with unleashed dogs have led a Kawerau woman to request the council create an on-leash area.
Top News stories
- Water nitrate levels rise in town previously hit by unsafe levels
- Te Pāti Māori tensions expected to loom as party AGM goes ahead
- 'Anytime he had a word that he didn't know, we would write a song'
- One Wairarapa council to rule them all? The mayors' view
- Hong Kong fire came after contractor safety breaches, documents reveal
Subscribe
Get the top 8 headlines each day at 8am with our daily email newsletter.
