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Local Democracy Reporting
Featured Local Democracy Reporting stories
Woman saves $500 after hit-and-run, thanks to CCTV cameras
After being smashed into and left with no contact details, Hawke's Bay woman Tracy Murfitt made a request for council CCTV footage that saved her $500.
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Schools back threatened qualification
9 Jan 2025"There is zero chance we will get rid of level 1, until anyone provides an alternative."
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'A nice change': Green tinge returns to North Canterbury pastures
9 Jan 2025The area has been suffering from low rainfall for many months.
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Tiny sign doesn’t stop swimming in poo
10 Jan 2025"It's kind of disgusting," says one local who got caught out.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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Popular swing given the axe by council
8 Jan 2025Hastings council removed tree branches and the attached swing at a waterfall in Hawke's Bay because swinging into the pool below was deemed to be risky.
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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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No confidence: Iwi reps call out Taranaki regional councillors
9 Jan 2025Iwi representatives lost confidence after councillors blocked debate on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill.
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Locals defy council attempt to remove rope swing
10 Jan 2025Hastings District Council says it is taking action again.
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Water bottlers face no summer restrictions - but residents told to cut back
9 Jan 2025While Napier and Hastings residents are being asked to conserve water, there's unlikely to be any disruption to water bottling operations.
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22 dogs and puppies uplifted from Ōpōtiki property
8 Jan 2025The owner has been fined and agreed to surrender the dogs, who have since been put down.
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Rubbish or 'a good idea'? Residents weigh in on collection changes
8 Jan 2025Rotorua Lakes Council will introduce weekly food and green waste kerbside collection from July 2026, while its general rubbish collection will reduce to one fortnightly pick-up.
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Uncovered: 100-year-old discovery in Rotorua Museum renovation
6 Jan 2025Heritage tiles were revealed during building strengthening works.
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Ōpōtiki street terrorised by roaming dogs
6 Jan 2025A woman says she was rushed and bailed up by a pack of dogs in the latest in a spate of dog incidents on Ford Street.
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Dancers tiptoe around looming eviction
5 Jan 2025The axe still hangs above Balmoral Hall in Ashburton, but its dancers are at least relieved they have time to find a new venue.
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Division, abuse and rates pain: Local politics year in review
3 Jan 2025A rising tide of abuse, escalating costs and the clash between central and local government - Marika Hill looks back at local politics in 2024.
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'It's huge that my community picked me' - Gisborne deputy mayor to step aside
2 Jan 2025After 11 years in local government, while raising four kids as a single dad and co-parenting two, Gisborne's deputy mayor will not be seeking re-election in 2025.
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West Coast better prepped than ever before for the big one
31 Dec 2024The region has come a long way in the past couple of years, in terms of planning and resources for a major event.
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New Zealand-first $200m education-arts hub on the cards for Whangārei
4 Jan 2025The hub will be based around the former Forum North headquarters, only partial use since the council vacated the building for its new civic facility.
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'Fatigue stops' in fatal spots aim to help festival-goers get home safely
31 Dec 2024Whakatāne District Council has expanded its road safety stops, despite budget cuts.
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Water safety patrols hone in on speed, skills, life jackets
29 Dec 2024The team who enforce rules on the water in the Bay of Plenty are anticipating a busy few months after dishing out 150 infringements last summer.
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Tauranga’s new rainbow crossing installed after six-year campaign
28 Dec 2024The installation of a rainbow crossing in Tauranga is bittersweet, the pride advocate who made it happen says.
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Meet the mayor who's convinced the vest is the best
28 Dec 2024Vests are Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo's thing, worn 365 days a year. Including under his mayoral robes, to council meetings, official functions and even to the beach.
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Toilet humour? It's all just part of her job
28 Dec 2024The Napier Sound Shell toilets custodian takes pride in her work and isn't afraid to laugh about it, especially when the cruise ships are in town.
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The mayor who describes himself as 'the Trump of the North'
30 Dec 2024This Kiwi mayor was thrilled when the president-elect won the US elections: "It's great because it's the end of woke."
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Meet the mayor of the Far North: 'It's a time for people to re-energise'
Summer for the country's northernmost mayor means the haven of whānau at the end of the road in one of New Zealand's most remote communities.
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South Auckland councillor to step down
26 Dec 2024Angela Dalton said she plans to retire from local politics after five years and serving two terms as Manurewa-Papakura councillor.
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Gisborne council eyes medium-density housing
25 Dec 2024The council is working on a blueprint for the future housing needs of the growing city, which will help guide plans for areas such as Kaiti, Elgin, the city centre, and Awapuni.
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Treaty law submission help honed for future Bills
22 Dec 2024Sessions to help Taranaki whānau have their say on the Treaty bill moving through Parliament are being fine-tuned to help address future legislation affecting Māori rights and interests.
