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Local Democracy Reporter

Former IndustrialDay team member

Read the latest stories by Local Democracy Reporter across the IndustrialDay network.

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Kiwi Stories

Written by Local Democracy

Tararua braces for an 'intense' El Niño season
Agricultural Technology

Tararua braces for an 'intense' El Niño season

Water restrictions are likely to come in earlier than usual as scientists warn the district faces one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Planes could spook horses if new racecourse built, aero club warns
Urban Planning

Planes could spook horses if new racecourse built, aero club warns

Council plans for a $77.3 million racecourse in Flaxmere have drawn warnings that low-flying aircraft could spook horses and trigger noise disputes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Today
Council boss apologises over Westport flood funding 'miscommunication'
Risk & Compliance

Council boss apologises over Westport flood funding 'miscommunication'

Westport residents are set to share NZD $1.8 million in flood protection funds after the regional council admitted the split was badly communicated.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Boulders blamed for increase in illegal parking
Small Business

Boulders blamed for increase in illegal parking

Footpath parking has surged in Ōpōtiki after six spaces were removed from Church Street, prompting complaints from struggling retailers.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Yesterday
Wairoa's floods help drive change to emergency management law
Civil Defence

Wairoa's floods help drive change to emergency management law

Wairoa councils will soon be able to clear river mouths and debris sooner, after floods exposed delays in emergency response.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Yesterday
'Iconic national' road thrown a funding lifeline
Māori

'Iconic national' road thrown a funding lifeline

Ratepayers in South Wairarapa will avoid a funding gap of up to NZD $35 million after NZTA agreed to keep Cape Palliser Rd largely subsidised for three years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Yesterday
Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil
Tasman District Council

Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil

Reuse plans could cut ocean discharge and help irrigate crops, sports grounds and industry across Nelson Tasman within two years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 2 days ago
Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures
Risk & Compliance

Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures

Council chiefs faced intense scrutiny after a review said six deaths in the Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable, with inquiries still under way.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 2 days ago
Civil Defence group writes to Minister over rates cap concerns
Risk & Compliance

Civil Defence group writes to Minister over rates cap concerns

Emergency response funding could be squeezed under planned rates caps, prompting Southland Civil Defence to seek an exemption from the Minister.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • 2 days ago
Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ
Public Sector

Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ

Residents across Wairarapa and Tararua are set to gain safer, more reliable water services as Waitī Waters prepares for a July launch.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 3 days ago
Mount Maunganui slip: Full reopening of facilities could cost up to $38m
Disaster Recovery

Mount Maunganui slip: Full reopening of facilities could cost up to $38m

Restoring full access to the Mount Maunganui base could require up to GBP £38 million in slope works, a risk assessment says.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 3 days ago
'The holes will get bigger': $1.9m to test lake wall fixes labelled 'delay tactics'
Local Government

'The holes will get bigger': $1.9m to test lake wall fixes labelled 'delay tactics'

Lake advocates say the wall may keep corroding for years, with repairs now pushed into 2027 and costs put at up to GBP £12.5 million.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 3 days ago
'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders
National Party

'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders

Residents say crashes are likely to rise if Nelson council removes speed cushions that cut traffic and reduced collisions on Tāhunanui Hills roads.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 3 days ago
Bid to stop Canterbury water project expansion fails
Conservation

Bid to stop Canterbury water project expansion fails

The Environment Court has upheld the scheme, though tougher conditions must be filed after objections over Rangitata water use were rejected.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 3 days ago
No go for trucks on 'low strength' Dannevirke bridge
Local Government

No go for trucks on 'low strength' Dannevirke bridge

Heavy vehicles will be diverted from a vital Dannevirke route after tests found the 103-year-old Rawhiti Bridge is far weaker than thought.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • 3 days ago
Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool
Energy efficient

Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool

Councillors will decide on Thursday whether to back a bigger Ōtaki pool rebuild that could make the site the lower North Island's only manu pool.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 3 days ago
Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years
Licensing

Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years

Long-delayed mining and resource applications are still pending on the West Coast, though the council has cut the queue to 43 from 199.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • 3 days ago
Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push
Local Government

Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push

Pressure is mounting on Gisborne's tourism infrastructure, with councillors weighing a campervan waste site after years of complaints and a closure.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Written by Local Democracy