Navigation for News Categories
Local Democracy Reporting
Featured Local Democracy Reporting stories
Tauranga City Council nominations off to a slow start
Tauranga has a population of more than 130,000, but only 14 people have put their hand up to stand in the elections so far, with a week until nominations close.
-
New school lunch model could cut out kaupapa Māori suppliers
16 May 2024A Whanganui school lunch contractor says kaupapa Māori suppliers could be out of the picture under the government's new free school lunch model.
-
'Incredibly harmful' South Auckland pokies rake in millions
3:42 pm todayPokie machines raked in over $20m in profits from Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Mangere-Ōtāhuhu in the December quarter of 2023.
-
Mayor calls for 'slow down' of fast-track law
16 May 2024Although his council supports the intent of the legislation, it's called on the government to reconsider its approach.
![Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News
[LDR single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--yhRCMNmS--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_576/v1708566112/4KUERAA_Hur1066dangordon2_2_scaled_jpg)
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
-
Residents return to flood-hit Auckland neighbourhoods
15 May 2024But there are still a lot more people in dire need for support, more than a year on after the Auckland Anniversary floods.
-
What is Local Democracy Reporting?
31 May 2021Find out more about the scheme and how to become a host newsroom or accredited media partner.
-
'They are family': Campground boss pleads case for residents
15 May 2024The boss of a popular Nelson campground has made an impassioned plea for long-term residents - many of them elderly - to be able to remain at Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park.
-
Doctors warn of health risks from proposed $730m waste to energy plant
15 May 2024A group of doctors opposed to the facilities is warning of major potential human health risks if one goes ahead in Northland.
-
Cracks appear in new $7m coastal pathway
14 May 2024Construction of the 4m wide path began in April 2023 and it opened in December.
-
Residents urged to have their say on 'very ugly long-term plan'
10 May 2024Western Bay of Plenty households face paying an extra $300 to $350 per year under the council's long-term plan proposal.
-
Fears local board funding shake-up will hurt 'poorest of community'
13 May 2024A proposed funding shake-up has sparked criticism it could drive inequality in communities that already suffer from historic underinvestment.
-
Rakiura / Stewart Island on course to tackle predator hit list target
9 May 2024Predator Free Rakiura will become the world's largest predator eradication project for an inhabited island if successful.
-
Councillors face criticism after mayor's sidelining
8 May 2024A critic is querying whether South Wairarapa councillors' behaviour amounted to bullying.
-
Franz Josef landowners angst over flood strategy: ‘It’s ruined our equity’
8 May 2024Waiho Flat landowners have expressed angst and frustration as they watch their devalued land "going down the river" despite a West Coast Regional Council promise four years ago they would be…
-
'Transport disadvantaged': Inequity proving a barrier in Invercargill
7 May 2024Transport inequities are proving a barrier for some young people in Invercargill, preventing them from joining in group activities.
-
Quarry risk to TranzAlpine train, but no quick fix
11 May 2024Delays in the decommissioning of dangerous rock quarry near Greymouth have raised the ire of a West Coast regional councillor.
-
'Abuse and threats': Inside the decision to cancel drag queen library event
11 May 2024"Online abuse and threats" to attendees - "including children" - of a drag queen storytime event were among the reasons it was canned, a council review says.
-
Decision on new name for National Park sent to minister
10 May 2024National Park is the current name for the village on the western edge of Tongariro National Park but iwi researchers claim Waimarino as the original name.
-
World-leading technology to avoid future Auckland Airport flooding
9 May 2024After significant flooding at Auckland Airport during the Auckland Anniversary floods, steps are being taken to ensure it does not happen again.
-
Double job MP's resignation from council may not stop by-election
9 May 2024The mayor says she understands the MP's bid to avoid a costly by-election but the decision is one for councillors.
-
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.
-
Rotorua BnB host says rates hike for holiday rental owners 'beggars belief'
7 May 2024After confusion over how the policy would be applied, the council has acknowledged it could have explained it more clearly.
-
New Kāinga Ora homes bring hope amid housing crisis
7 May 2024One family lived in a tent during the cyclone, while another ended up in emergency housing and even slept in a truck one night. These are their stories about moving into a brand new home.
-
Systems rather than people led to failures, emergency response leader says
5 May 2024New 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.
-
MP to keep job as councillor - and two salaries
6 May 2024Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques.
-
The residents who will be hardest hit by congestion charging
6 May 2024South Aucklanders face a lack of reliable and affordable public transport, meaning they'll cop any charges the worst, the local board says.
-
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.
-
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.
Top News stories
- NZers trapped by New Caledonia riots feel 'abandoned' by their own country
- Government plans for Māori wards breach The Treaty of Waitangi -Tribunal
- Stratford pond clean-up uncovers pram, bikes, scooters under water
- Father who accidentally killed son while reversing discharged without conviction
- Super Rugby Pacific: Second-string Hurricanes survive Moana scare
Subscribe
Get the top 8 headlines each day at 8am with our daily email newsletter.