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Carterton councillor quits, byelection imminent
A by-election is imminent in Carterton after councillor Steffen Bertram resigned 15 months into his first term.
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Notorious Marlborough highway stretch overlooked for safety work
1 Feb 2021If State Highway 1's dangerous Weld Pass isn't addressed soon it will be like 'stepping back into the Dark Ages', a transport committee chairperson says.
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What is Local Democracy Reporting?
17 Dec 2020The LDR project helps keep local communities informed. Find out more about how it works and how to become an accredited media partner.
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Golfers plead with council not to cut course in half
30 Jan 2021Members of an 84-year-old golf club fear a sports hub proposal to chop their course in half could result in them closing down completely.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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Revamped dam set to assist Auckland's drought recovery
29 Jan 2021A mothballed dam in the Hūnua Ranges will start supplying six million litres of water a day to the Auckland network from next week as part of a $68 million dollar Watercare project.
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Historical Māori kōiwi bones unearthed by erosion in Nūhaka
28 Jan 2021Ngāti Rakaipaaka iwi confirmed the remains were historical and from an urupā known to be in the area.
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Reti says $5m transitional unit targeting DHB reduction a waste of money
28 Jan 2021A $5m government unit to investigate halving the DHBs comes at the same time some boards are appointing younger people as "observers" to learn about DHB governance.
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Parking wardens questioned for town with more parks than parkers
28 Jan 2021There's more empty parks than cars in front of the Atlantis backpacker hostel by Picton's foreshore, but visitors complain they are being rubbed the wrong way by 'overzealous' parking wardens.
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Is there an end in sight for Ōtara’s gang problem?
27 Jan 2021Community leaders are warning the cycle of violent retribution will continue if radical interventions aren't made.
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GPs 'burnt out, tired' after Covid-19 outbreak, lockdown
South Auckland GPs and medical practices are still feeling the pressure after the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, according to a new report.
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Dog detective sniffs out pest plants in Wairarapa
27 Jan 2021New Zealand's leading dog detective is seeking out invasive weeds in Wairarapa's wetlands.
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DIY campervan explodes without warning at Marlborough campsite
26 Jan 2021A couple from the United Kingdom has "lost everything" after the vehicle they were living in caught fire at a Marlborough camping site.
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Residents outraged over consent to remove plantings
28 Jan 2021A decision to grant consent for the removal row of trees planted by community volunteers along a revitalised waterway in South Auckland has outraged residents.
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Māori health leaders gear up for 'people focused' vaccine roll-out
26 Jan 2021Face-to-face contact will be key to connecting those "invisible" in mainstream services to the Covid-19 vaccine, Māori health leaders say.
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Gisborne vaccine rollout planned, authorities prompt vigilance
25 Jan 2021Health authorities in Tairāwhiti have called for continued vigilance after a confirmed community case of Covid-19 in Northland.
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Wheelchair barriers to be investigated - Buller Council
24 Jan 2021Complaints that wheelchair users face barriers to access a community meeting room will be looked into, the Buller District Council says.
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Twisted timber bridge needs 'significant' repairs, but remains open
22 Jan 2021A footbridge over a Blenheim river popular with walkers and cyclists needs "significant engineering work", but will remain open to the public while a replacement is built.
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Resolution in sight for 'insulting' Grey Power newsletter
22 Jan 2021A Māori councillor is withdrawing his complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner over an "insulting" Grey Power newsletter ahead of a meeting with its author.
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Wairarapa councils all lack disability, accessibility policies
23 Jan 2021None of Wairarapa's councils have a specific disability policy, which has been labelled a big surprise by one local campaigner.
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MBIE's plans for Auckland service centre remain under wraps
22 Jan 2021Its proposal to build a regional service centre in Manukau appears to still be on the table - it says it'll make an announcement in the next three months.
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Government stalling on Franz Josef funding 'despicable' – Maureen Pugh
22 Jan 2021National Party list MP Maureen Pugh says the Franz Josef community is in desperate need of the $24m project to shore up the floodwalls around local village.
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Mayor rejects MP's claims over future of Franz Josef township
21 Jan 2021Westland Mayor Bruce Smith is rejecting a claim by the region's MP Damien O'Connor that there is no long-term plan for the future of Franz Josef township.
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$1m developer funds used to buy back Blenheim reserve
21 Jan 2021A rope bridge and "woodland walk" could be key attractions at a new reserve in Blenheim's Rose Manor estate, bought by the council for just over $1 million.
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Injured cyclist complains to council after crashing into security chain
21 Jan 2021A disgruntled cyclist wants Whangārei District Council to better identify hazards after crashing into an unmarked chain across his Pohe Island route.
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Councillor disgusted by comments over reo Māori karakia at Grey Power meeting
21 Jan 2021A councillor will take a complaint to the Race Relations Commissioner after his use of the Māori language to perform a karakia at a Grey Power meeting was labelled an "insult".
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$24m flood protection and bridge project in Franz Josef under review
20 Jan 2021Government officials have put the brakes on the $24 million project to shore up the floodwalls around Franz Josef Glacier village and build a new bridge over the wild Waiho (Waiau) River.
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Tāneatua's new police station: No cells, no barriers
19 Jan 2021Work should begin in the next few months to replace Tāneatua Police Station, destroyed by fire two years ago, which will have a space for for community hui and a cup of tea.
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Kaipara’s most prolific council meeting attendee: 'All about communicating'
19 Jan 2021Dot Gorrie reckons she's not addicted to attending council meetings. But she's been to about 60 in the past three decades, is now seeing Kaipara District Council's sixth mayor in action and has…