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ECan chair rebuffs government's directive to stop planning
Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling says councils need to keep thinking about planning, despite the RMA Reform Minister putting a halt to district and regional plans.
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Council calls for tougher dog laws, rescuers overwhelmed
19 Jul 2025Auckland Council impounded more than 12,000 dogs last year - more than half were euthanised. Frontline rescuers and local leaders say the crisis requires…
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Departing councillor: 'Social media abuse has got out of hand'
19 Jul 2025A long-serving local body councillor has called it quits, blaming government input and "contempt", and social media abuse.
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Call for wider consultation on memorial for patients' unmarked graves
19 Jul 2025Porirua's Pacific community wants more consultation on a memorial for more than 1800 former patients buried in unmarked graves.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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Real-time flood alert sensors installed on streams
18 Jul 2025Residents living near five Havelock North streams will have a real-time view of their water levels.
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Tauranga's Baypark speedway lease extended to 2039
18 Jul 2025Speedway will continue to race at Baypark in Tauranga giving the sport "certainty and longevity".
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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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Warning on end of Auckland's alcohol licence freeze
18 Jul 2025Auckland's local alcohol policy is fast becoming outdated according to one legal expert.
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Marlborough council defies Govt to push ahead with airport safety plan
18 Jul 2025The district council says it will continue planning airport safety protections, despite government moves to freeze all environment plan changes under RMA law. Audio
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'World gone mad': Playground fence sparks anger from parent
18 Jul 2025Mother of two Amanda Burrows says it's a is "a complete overreaction".
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Ōtara teen paddler set to represent NZ in Brazil
18 Jul 2025Lochlan Sa'olotoga Te'o was selected for the Aotearoa J19 men's waka ama team.
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Marlborough council approves $72k upgrade to Skate Park
17 Jul 2025The Marlborough District Council has approved $72,000 for the upgrades, which were requested by the recently established Skate Marlborough organisation in the 2024 Long Term Plan.
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The big issues for Auckland's leaders
17 Jul 2025Auckland's rapid population growth is considered one of the key challenges for incoming council elected members, a report has revealed.
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Gore mayor Ben Bell fires back on tough first term
17 Jul 2025The mayor has labelled a recent account of his tumultuous first term as "bullying".
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Councils complain huge rate rises result of government rules
17 Jul 2025Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour admitted councils were lumbered with rate rises because of central government regulations.
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Community 'in shock' as industrial park greenlit
"People took the assumption that it was so ridiculous that it was never going to happen," one critic says.
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Homegrown health workers fill Taranaki gaps
17 Jul 2025As New Zealand struggles to attract doctors and nurses in a global shortage, Taranaki has nurtured a homegrown response.
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Councils blindsided by government call to halt planning work
17 Jul 2025The shake-up, tied to RMA reforms, will have "unintended consequences", councils warn.
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More dogs going unregistered in Invercargill
16 Jul 2025Challenges with dog registrations in the region came to light at a Tuesday council meeting.
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'Gaping holes, rusty bolts': Residents want dodgy footpaths fixed
16 Jul 2025People living in a beachside community are frustrated with its dangerous footpaths, some of which have caused severe injuries, they say.
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'It's a lose-lose': Family says 'yes for now' to buyout
16 Jul 2025A Māngere family is faced with a difficult decision after learning that their home is considered an "intolerable risk to life".
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Whanganui backs new water services body with Ruapehu
15 Jul 2025Whanganui councillors have voted 8-5 to form a new entity with Ruapehu to manage the delivery of water services.
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Dying proves to be a costly undertaking
15 Jul 2025It may not be the cheapest place to live, but South Wairarapa is by far the cheapest place to die compared to its neighbouring districts.
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Cheaper, greener, more Māori: New Plymouth council to buy local
15 Jul 2025New Plymouth councillors reckon buying local could save money - and bring growth, green gains and more mahi for Māori.
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Council considers new rules for cats
15 Jul 2025The Kaikōura District Council is considering drafting an animal control bylaw to include cats, to replace its dog control bylaw, in a bid to protect native birds.
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Councillor ‘risking health’ by ignoring boil water notice
15 Jul 2025The country's water regulator says a Southland councillor who refuses to boil his tap water could be risking his health.
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West Coast Regional Council chair defends rate rises
15 Jul 2025The council is contesting figures put out by Taxpayers' Union showing it topped the country for rate hikes over the past three years.
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As the sea level rises, who will pay? Councils seek answers
14 Jul 2025North Canterbury's councils want to know who pays for preparing for climate change as major storms and flooding threatens local communities.
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