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Small-town surge tops growth of Taranaki council contestants
There's strong competition for Taranaki council seats at the upcoming local body elections, despite the unclear future of some.
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Marlborough stadium under pressure as senior classes boom
2 Aug 2025A Blenheim pool is proving extremely popular with senior citizens doing water exercise.
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Sarjeant Gallery final cost $79.4m – ratepayers pick up a third of the bill
1 Aug 2025The bill for the restoration of the fragile heritage building went over by $19.67m.
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Councillors tired of being ‘beaten up’ and blamed by central government
1 Aug 2025South Wairarapa councillors are disappointed at central government for treating councils like children.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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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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Local elections 2025: Rotorua sets 'ambitious' 50% turnout goal
1 Aug 2025Reaching the 50 percent milestone is now the target, something only 20 of the 65 councils managed in 2022.
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Mayoral candidate berates CEO, brags about sporting accomplishments
1 Aug 2025A Southland mayoral hopeful took shots at a council chief executive during a fiery public speech.
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Franz Josef ratepayers balk at $2.8m stopbank extension
1 Aug 2025Local members of the joint committee that oversees flood protection for the tourist town voted unanimously last night not to go ahead with the Havill Wall extension.
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Nobby Clark not impressed by brother's mayoral bid
1 Aug 2025The Invercargill mayor is not backing his brother's attempt to take over his job when he finishes up this election.
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Gisborne Air NZ flights cancelled due to plane repairs
31 Jul 2025The airline offered road transport to Napier due to limited flight availability.
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Dogs allowed on buses - but is it workable?
31 Jul 2025It could mean passengers are able to board a bus with their dog but are unable to get off with their dog at the interchange.
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Nobby Clark stalls decision on mana whenua charter
30 Jul 2025Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark has used his power as chair to delay a decision on a memorandum of understanding with mana whenua.
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Wandering cows spark safety fears on Tairāwhiti's highways
29 Jul 2025There were 186 callouts for wandering stock on Tai Rāwhiti highways last year.
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'Keep our Māori wards' campaign kicks off with security caution
29 Jul 2025A bid to retain Māori representation at Taranaki council tables kicked off on the weekend with a call for whānau-level pushback against what campaigners say is deliberate disinformation.
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'It'll be the talk of the town' - Tākaka home proposed for ancient waka
29 Jul 2025It's been 13 years since the 700-year-old Anaweka waka was found on Golden Bay's west coast by a family on a picnic.
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The Auckland elections you probably don't know about
29 Jul 2025While most of the attention will be on city councillors and mayoral hopefuls, voters also have the power to decide on other leaders.
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‘Crippling’ bills likely in South Wairarapa with water reform
29 Jul 2025The council's deputy mayor has written to Local Government Minister Simon Watts urging him to support small and rural councils grappling with the growing scale and cost.
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Kaikōura cruise visits expected to halve this summer
28 Jul 2025Kaikōura tourism leaders are expecting to see fewer cruise ships this summer.
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Bay of Islands hapū achieve Ngāpuhi-first Treaty of Waitangi milestone
28 Jul 2025The Trust has received its Crown Deed of Mandate recognition.
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Taranaki mayors push for govt hydrogen help
26 Jul 2025Local leaders say Taranaki is the ideal home for a future hydrogen industry, if central government comes to the table. Audio
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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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'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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'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.
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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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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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