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Systems rather than people led to failures, emergency response leader says
New Zealand's highest-ranked civil defence emergency response leader says systems, rather than people, are at the heart of major criticisms in a new report.
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Hope for Southland lagoon after toxic algae threat
4 May 2024The impacts of a cyanobacterial bloom at a Southland lagoon won't be known for some time, but the water has been restored.
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Iwi defends Māori sites amid Grey District protest
3 May 2024Poutini Ngāi Tahu has defended Māori sites of significance after the Grey District called for them to be cut from the West Coast's proposed one district plan.
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Deputy mayor 'disgusted' by response to Beyer sculpture
2 May 2024Carterton's deputy mayor is "disappointed" and "disgusted" at the response to a proposal to erect a memorial sculpture of the late Georgina Beyer.
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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ECan chair steps down, pending investigation
3 May 2024This follows recent media comments about Peter Scott's farming activity.
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South Wairarapa Mayor not backing down
3 May 2024South Wairarapa Mayor Martin Connelly has returned from a two-month leave of absence to a council he remains at odds with.
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'I'm going to come up one morning and find someone has died': Seven crashes at one fence
3 May 2024Tracy Watson has repaired the same fence over and over times.
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Wheelie bins aim to fix Marlborough’s recycling issues
3 May 2024Those tasked with Marlborough's wheelie bin roll-out say they are confident that recycling is no longer going to end up going to landfill.
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Boy racer's car crashes into bystanders, injuring two
2 May 2024A person was taken to hospital and the driver's car impounded after the incident.
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Poor air quality forces rethink of town's industrial sites
1 May 2024Mount Maunganui's poor air quality is impacting people's health, with officials saying there is a "critical need" to find alternate sites for businesses that emit pollutants.
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‘Monumental’: Funding secured to fix and reopen Rotorua Museum
1 May 2024Construction to reopen Rotorua's iconic museum will begin next month as the council secures the final funding needed and brings down the total cost.
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Auckland's raised crossings ditched for new approach after criticism
30 Apr 2024Auckland pedestrians will get flashing ground lights, traffic islands and other road safety measures to replace the heavily criticised raised pedestrian crossings on roads.
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West Coast mine proposal gets council go ahead
29 Apr 2024It follows an earlier rejection of an Australian mining company's proposal to mine mineral sands from Barrytown Flats north of Greymouth.
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Cost of living crisis: Families opt for Kiwisaver cashouts, cut back on food
29 Apr 2024Families are cutting back on essentials and withdrawing their KiwiSaver funds as they struggle with the rising cost of living, a budgeting service says.
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'We had a democratic process' for Māori ward, mayor says
23 Apr 2024Gisborne councillors have voiced frustration the central government will make them redo their work.
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Rotorua’s $3 billion, 30-year plan to fix aging pipes, roads and more
28 Apr 2024Rotorua is wrestling with a costly dilemma: how to keep the pipes flowing after years of what one councillor describes as "chronic underspending".
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Council continues four-year Māori ward fight in face of govt changes
24 Apr 2024A council that played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed is now lobbying against government plans to reinstate binding referendums.
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Carterton could get Georgina Beyer statue
27 Apr 2024The late politician was the world's first openly transgender mayor and member of parliament.
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Liquor plan risks creating 'desolate wasteland' - restaurateur
26 Apr 2024A prominent business family hopes "common sense" will prevail before proposed alcohol regulations come into force.
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The ‘treasure’ plant mistaken for algae in Marlborough Sounds
25 Apr 2024A seagrass still found in the region is in global decline and many don't know of its importance, a coastal scientist says.
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South Wairarapa mayor stripped of representative roles
25 Apr 2024Mayor Martin Connelly says he is not aware of the move and cannot comment further at this stage.
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'They have taken us for fools': Councillor hits out over homeless plan
25 Apr 2024Rotorua councillor upset at Housing Ministry plans to keep contracting hotels for emergency housing.
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'Too many dead ducks': Residents demand action over smelly lake
24 Apr 2024Dead birds and fish, and "out of control" lillies are pushing residents along a lake in Whakatāne over the edge.
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Deputy mayor almost steps aside over misunderstanding
23 Apr 2024The incident involved an email referring to an investigation into a combined Three Waters entity for Otago and Southland.
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West Coast council backs Fast Tracks Approvals Bill
26 Apr 2024The Fast Tracks Approvals Bill has been given a big tick by the West Coast Regional Council, saying it will lead to more jobs, and despite what others say, has environmental safeguards in it.
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'Just as we did in 1984' - School brings back traditional single-cell classrooms
25 Apr 2024Rangiora High School has a 1980s feel about it, following the refurbishment of its Rakahuri building, says principal Bruce Kearney.
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Wilding pine work 'will go backwards' with reduced funding
25 Apr 2024Land cleared of the pest plants is now "prime for re-infestation".
![The review confirmed poor air quality at Mount Maunganui was creating significant health risks and premature deaths. Photo: Supplied. [via LDR Single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--yJnXRLXw--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1714508926/4KQVDS3_Mt_Industrial_LDR_scaled_jpg)
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