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Local Democracy Reporting
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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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.
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Frustration at council view on 'benign' coastal landfill
21 Dec 2024A southern council says it needs to "draw the line" with a community over its old dumpsite.
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Alcohol ban back for Marlborough town during wine festival
27 Dec 2024An alcohol ban will return for the streets of the small town hosting the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, with talks of the ban being made permanent.
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Used nappies, takeout boxes: Blue Lake bin removal causes a stink
27 Dec 2024Staff at the Rotorua Blue Lake Top 10 holiday park are picking up a bag of garbage from the lakefront every day - and want the bins reinstated.
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Govt ends bowel cancer screening programme for Māori and Pacific
20 Dec 2024Health leaders say the move is shocking, given the high bowel cancer death rates among Māori and Pacific communities.
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Christmas lights fall victim to cost-cutting
20 Dec 2024The Christmas street lights will shine for the last time this year as decorations are deteriorating and won't be replaced because council want to keep the next rate increase low.
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The roundabout exit to nowhere
20 Dec 2024What was going to go there and why didn't it? Local Democracy reporter Linda Hall takes a look.
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Council approves equestrian park's $250k irrigation system despite criticism
20 Dec 2024The Marlborough Equestrian Park made a request for the irrigation system to the council's Long Term Plan earlier this year.
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$36k raise for sick Māori ward councillor
19 Dec 2024Māori ward councillor Mikaere Sydney has been in hospital since July.
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Councillors condemn removal of 'wellbeing' in local decisions
19 Dec 2024There is also greater concern for the impact on Māori, Pasifika, and vulnerable communities.
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Councillors receive abusive emails after Israel vote
17 Dec 2024They voted in favour of Nelson City Council boycotting businesses which operate in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.
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