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Local Democracy Reporting
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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'Keep the lights on': Community rallies over mills threat
27 Aug 2024The mill, which employs 230 people across two sites in the central North Island, announced it was closing due to high electricity prices.
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‘I’m stuck’: Hope fades in a community of ‘valueless’ homes
31 Aug 2024Residents of a small Southland hamlet hammered by coastal erosion are living in limbo, as the river next to their properties inches closer.
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Learnings for councils as residents want greater say
27 Aug 2024Almost 70 percent of people want to be more involved in council decisions, but reaching the community to enable engagement can be a challenge.
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'Another Ihumātao': Hīkoi against sewerage pipeline
26 Aug 2024About 100 people attended a hīkoi to wāhi tapu (sacred) Lake Rotokākahi on Monday in a stand against the route of a sewerage pipeline.
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These politicians are backing four-year terms for local councils
26 Aug 2024New poll data shows 47 percent of respondents - almost half - favour a council four-year term.
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Could merging help councils trim rate rises?
26 Aug 2024With an average rates rise of 16 percent it's clear increases of that scale can't be absorbed long-term.
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After forestry court victory, questions mount over fines
24 Aug 2024Gisborne District Council has celebrated multiple legal wins against forestry companies, but who is paying?
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Tauranga council to consider fluoridation directive
25 Aug 2024Tauranga's new council must decide whether to continue work to fluoridate the city's water or try for an extension ahead of a looming deadline, otherwise it risks large fines.
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How to grow the next generation of Pasifika politicians
It's disheartening how little support there is for Pasifika local politicians, a Māori-Tonga councillor says.
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‘I wasn’t keeping myself safe’: How Tory Whanau regained her purpose
23 Aug 2024The Wellington Mayor said she is making self care a priority after a "bad" year.
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'We're not KPIs': Pasifika and Māori hit back at PM's speech
23 Aug 2024Pasifika and Māori local politicians called Christopher Luxon's address to Local Government New Zealand was 'quite shocking' and 'disheartening'.
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Can renewable energy ease high power prices in Tai Rāwhiti?
22 Aug 2024With "electricity poverty" soaring in Tai Rāwhiti, leaders are assessing the plausibility of locally owned, renewable energy grids.
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No congestion charging for Nelson, yet
21 Aug 2024Regional leaders don't currently see a place for time-of-use charging in Nelson Tasman, but add that it shouldn't be ruled out in the face of future population growth.
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'Who's going to run the show?': 26 lessons from Aratere grounding
23 Aug 2024When the Aratere ran aground in Picton Harbour, it wasn't clear who was leading the emergency response, the harbourmaster says. Audio
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'Slippery slope to mediocrity': Mayors hit back at PM's speech
22 Aug 2024Christopher Luxon called for councils to "rein in the fantasies", manage spending, and focus on delivering their core services - but mayors say they already do this.
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'Stuff off, you pathetic little troll': Nicola Willis hits back at abuse
22 Aug 2024National's deputy leader is calling for people to join her in "belittling the trolls" in an online toxic environment.
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Council staffer sells 'community relic' to scrapyard
23 Aug 2024A Masterton council staffer sold a plaque to a scrapyard, despite it being entrusted to the archive, sparking an internal investigation.
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Community newsletter column sparks council investigation
22 Aug 2024Details of a secret code of conduct issue have finally come to light, eight months after a southern council began holding private meetings.
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A case for putting tolls on cycle trails
22 Aug 2024A mayor is calling for a rethink of who pays to keep the country's popular cycle trails open.
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'Bombshell': Devastation as Ruapehu mills announce permanent closure
21 Aug 2024Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned as around 230 jobs are on the line.
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Councils to vote on challenge to Māori ward polling rule
21 Aug 2024Far North mayor Moko Tepania says he will support a challenge to a new rule around polling on Māori wards.
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More bottle shops could open outside town centres, expert warns
21 Aug 2024There will soon be a two-year freeze on new off-licence applications in the Auckland CBD and town centres in areas with the highest alcohol-related harm.
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'Very disappointed': Board chair ousted at fiery meeting
21 Aug 2024People packed into the Winton Memorial Hall and bore witness to Colin Smith's final moments as chairperson.
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Tauranga CBD revamp pushes ahead – with potential savings
20 Aug 2024A change in funding for Tauranga's civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa, could save ratepayers $1million a year in interest.
![Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the council has "stuck to its knitting" despite a 17.5 percent rates increase. Photo: RNZ/Dom Thomas. [via LDR single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--n3ugzi1L--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1724291622/4KL1PEN_Anita_Baker_RNZ_Dom_Thomas_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
![Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (right), pictured alongside Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown, told local government representatives on Wednesday to focus spending on core services. Photo: Max Frethey. [via LDR single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--DfybKwT2--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1724291622/4KL1PEN_Luxon_Standup_scaled_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
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