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Taranaki mayors push for govt hydrogen help
Local leaders say Taranaki is the ideal home for a future hydrogen industry, if central government comes to the table. Audio
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'It's about deterrence': Call for aerial crackdown on dirt bikers
26 Jul 2025A Rotorua resident wants drones used to fight illegal dirt bike activity plaguing the city.
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Ngāti Porou CEO resigns after four years
25 Jul 2025George Reedy played a key role in expanding health and social services in Te Tairāwhiti.
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'Never, ever, ever': Boardroom blowout at Southland licensing trust
26 Jul 2025Claims of bullying, dysfunction and underhanded moves mark a tense pre-election moment at the Gore-based licensing trust.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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'Quite a bump': Rotorua lures more Auckland visitors
Rotorua is experiencing a surge in domestic tourism, with new figures showing an increase in visitor numbers, spending and accommodation occupancy.
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What is Local Democracy Reporting?
31 May 2021Find out more about the scheme and how to become a host newsroom or accredited media partner.
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Northland’s biggest water services changes kick off in Whangārei
25 Jul 2025Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said the move toward a regional CCO for drinking water and wastewater was historic.
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Temporary solution cuts Havelock boil water period from years to months
25 Jul 2025The council previously said the boil water notice would last until a new $14 million permanent treatment plant was completed in 2028.
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Cafe protests minister's parking charges at famous tourist spot
24 Jul 2025"However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee," Grant Parrett says.
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Mayor's call for council review backed by LGNZ
24 Jul 2025Mahé Drysdale's remit is aimed at increasing efficiency in local government and reducing ratepayer costs.
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Tensions rise as man refuses to leave Selwyn council meeting
24 Jul 2025A Selwyn District Council meeting ground to a halt when a public speaker refused to leave the table.
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Why this town's lake is causing a stink
23 Jul 2025It might sound idyllic to live beside a lake, but for Pegasus residents it is anything but.
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Elation as Whanganui gets voice in fast-track seabed mining decision
23 Jul 2025A Whanganui District councillor is "elated" her council has been named a relevant authority in the fast-track application process for a seabed mining project off South Taranaki.
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City councillor's posts prompt hate crime complaint from Israel
23 Jul 2025Whakatāne-Ōhope ward councillor Nándor Tánczos shared a link on his personal Facebook page to an online petition calling for United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and the doctors of…
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Street opens after seven-year closure
23 Jul 2025The road that has left residents feeling stuck "in a rat trap" will finally open back up - for now .
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Former Southland mayor throws hat in the ring, again
23 Jul 2025Gary Tong has backtracked on earlier comments he would 'definitely not' stand this election.
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Popular tourist beach's water rating downgraded after 'alarm' level test results
21 Jul 2025Two samples taken at the tourist hotspot reached 'alert' level, and a further two exceeded the higher 'alarm' level.
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Waitangi Tribunal pushes pause on seabed mine claim
21 Jul 2025The Waitangi Tribunal has rejected the application to halt a fast-track bid to mine the seabed off Pātea - but has left the door open if the process turns out to be unfair.
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Departing councillor: 'Social media abuse has got out of hand'
19 Jul 2025A long-serving local body councillor has called it quits, blaming government input and "contempt", and social media abuse.
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ECan chair rebuffs government's directive to stop planning
20 Jul 2025Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling says councils need to keep thinking about planning, despite the RMA Reform Minister putting a halt to district and regional plans.
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Council calls for tougher dog laws, rescuers overwhelmed
19 Jul 2025Auckland Council impounded more than 12,000 dogs last year - more than half were euthanised. Frontline rescuers and local leaders say the crisis requires immediate on-the-ground action and law reform.
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Call for wider consultation on memorial for patients' unmarked graves
19 Jul 2025Porirua's Pacific community wants more consultation on a memorial for more than 1800 former patients buried in unmarked graves.
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Real-time flood alert sensors installed on streams
18 Jul 2025Residents living near five Havelock North streams will have a real-time view of their water levels.
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Tauranga's Baypark speedway lease extended to 2039
18 Jul 2025Speedway will continue to race at Baypark in Tauranga giving the sport "certainty and longevity".
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Warning on end of Auckland's alcohol licence freeze
18 Jul 2025Auckland's local alcohol policy is fast becoming outdated according to one legal expert.
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Marlborough council defies Govt to push ahead with airport safety plan
18 Jul 2025The district council says it will continue planning airport safety protections, despite government moves to freeze all environment plan changes under RMA law. Audio
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'World gone mad': Playground fence sparks anger from parent
18 Jul 2025Mother of two Amanda Burrows says it's a is "a complete overreaction".
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Ōtara teen paddler set to represent NZ in Brazil
18 Jul 2025Lochlan Sa'olotoga Te'o was selected for the Aotearoa J19 men's waka ama team.
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