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Featured Local Democracy Reporting stories
Rubbish dumped, set alight on Canterbury beach
A Rakaia fisherman's video of a man burning trash on the beach went viral online, triggering a $400 council fine.
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Empty Rotorua council-owned pensioner units spark concern
8 Nov 2025Dozens of council pensioner homes lie empty as residents grow uneasy.
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Leaders chosen for Auckland local boards
7 Nov 2025Local boards across Auckland have officially begun their new term, after completing inaugurations and electing chairpersons and deputy chairs for the next three…
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Napier residents rage over new housing plan
7 Nov 2025The city is opening the door to six-storey terraced housing and apartment-style living - upsetting some locals.
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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Methven birdsong project starts humming
6 Nov 2025A community vision to bring the birds back to Methven is taking root.
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Conservation Boards set to lose functions under new law
6 Nov 2025Unease is building over law changes that could see Conservation Boards sidelined.
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Government approves Eastern Bay councils standing alone with water
6 Nov 2025All three Eastern Bay district councils have had their plans to keep three waters services in-house for the next few years approved by the Department of Internal Affairs.
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Ōtara 'locked out' in stoush over local board leadership roles
6 Nov 2025Ōtara's three elected members have been left without leadership roles for the first time since the Auckland Super City was formed in 2010.
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Huge petrol station planned for some of NZ's most fertile land
5 Nov 2025The build would include a truck stop, retail service area, cafe and fruit shop facilities.
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Farmer urges government to act as consent costs spiral
It has been seven weeks since David Clark went public with his frustration of the resource consent process and its "outrageous costs".
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Wild deer plunder pasture, plants and profits in Westland
5 Nov 2025Feral deer in South Westland are devouring native forest, farm pasture and profits - but DOC has neither the budget nor a plan to do anything about it.
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'I know where you live': Councillors ramp up security after threats
5 Nov 2025At least two newly elected councillors will be accessing newly available support after facing harassment and threats during the local government elections.
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How a teen son's passion for Māori wards led to a shock win for his mum
5 Nov 2025Mawera Karetai did not erect a single billboard or spend a cent on her Māori ward election campaign in the Bay of Plenty, so it came as a shock when she actually won.
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Pandaland amongst submissions to overhaul showgrounds
4 Nov 2025The Hastings District Council, which purchased the Tōmoana Showgrounds in 2023, is asking residents to help shape a 10-year master plan for its future.
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Photos reveal significant fire damage to Auckland track
4 Nov 2025Fire and Emergency New Zealand were called to a vegetation fire at Fairy Falls Track in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park about 8am on Sunday.
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Visitors warned to watch for birds crash landing in Kaikōura
3 Nov 2025Crash landings for the vulnerable Kaikōura tītī birds is more common in March and April - but happen from August to March during breeding season as well.
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The push to restore power in 'apocalyptic' Southland
1 Nov 2025Around 2200 customers are still without power following a freak storm on 23 October.
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Popular Far North mayor won't seek re-election in 2028
31 Oct 2025Tepania made the announcement about his future to gasps of surprise at the Far North District Council's meeting on Wednesday.
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Nelson council prioritises economic recovery after 'winter from hell'
31 Oct 2025As the new Nelson City Council was sworn in on Thursday afternoon, returning mayor Nick Smith put the economic recovery of the city in his sights.
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Rates could go up for properties that get new granny flats
30 Oct 2025Rates could be raised for properties with granny flats, an economist says, after new rules were passed allowing people to build structures up to 70 square metres in their yards.
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Tasman's iwi relationships reaffirmed as council sworn in
31 Oct 2025The new Tasman District Council has been sworn in, with councillor Brent Maru appointed as deputy mayor.
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Hundreds of storm insurance claims across Wairarapa
31 Oct 2025A total of 200 claims were made, with Masterton having the highest number at 60 - mostly from the weather event on 21 October.
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Locals come up with cunning plan to save popular track
31 Oct 2025The southern half of the popular Charming Creek Walkway, has been closed by multiple slips since 2019 but the local community has plans to help restore it.
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Auckland liquor store licence denied after community outcry
31 Oct 2025The Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC) has declined an application SSB 2024 to revive an off-licence bottle shop near Manurewa.
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Kaikōura waterfront redevelopment on track
30 Oct 2025The Kaikōura's Wakatu Quay site has been closed this year while work has been completed on the first building as part of the redevelopment of the historic wharf.
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Gisborne Māori roll voter turnout surges 40 percent after Māori ward referendum
29 Oct 2025Turnout on the Māori roll in Gisborne surged 40.5 percent, from 3657 voters in 2022 to 5139 this year.
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'Moana' bores on for Māngere's $64m wastewater upgrade
29 Oct 2025A boring machine, nicknamed Moana by local children, began work this morning as part of a wastewater upgrade that will reduce overflows and prepare the network for thousands of new homes.
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