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Local Democracy Reporting
Featured Local Democracy Reporting stories
Job seeker programme goes 'quiet' after funding slashed
A job programme has made just one sustainable placement since July, as the reality of a government funding cut sets in.
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Residents demand action on clogged rail crossing left off upgrade list
10 Sep 2025The crossing that brings a West Auckland suburb to a halt every time a train comes through is now an election issue.
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Bogus candidate event stumps voters
10 Sep 2025Notices about the event have been circulating on social media for two weeks.
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Tonnes of 'toxic' waste removed from mortgagee sale property
10 Sep 2025Three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a huge pile of hazardous waste were some of the hallmarks of a sale.
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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Conflict at Northland Regional Council top table investigated
9 Sep 2025Complaints of stalking, racial discrimination and privacy breaches made against Northland Regional Council's chair have all been dismissed.
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Advocates urge stricter rules for Wairarapa cat bylaw
8 Sep 2025A wildlife advocacy group is urging Wairarapa councils to go harder on cat regulations in a proposed set of bylaws.
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A guide to voting in the local elections
8 Sep 2025So what are the rules around the upcoming elections?
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'Deeply upsetting': Council hopes to put down fewer dogs
8 Sep 2025Rotorua Lakes council has put out a plea to residents to make informed choices before getting a dog.
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Data blindspot: Hundreds of booze sellers missing in national figures
More than 1600 alcohol sellers - including bottle stores, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets - haven't been counted in national figures.
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Contentious dam hangs over elections
5 Sep 2025The controversial Ruataniwha Dam was first proposed around 13 years ago - now two of the main agitators for and against the original proposal are making a bid to return to council.
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‘Cats are the bane of my life’: Claws out at candidate event
5 Sep 2025The idea of a cat control bylaw seemed particularly important to residents due to the damage feral cats do to the native wildlife of the Sounds.
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Riverton’s iconic pāua shell can't catch a break
5 Sep 2025A Southland town icon which underwent major refurbishment requires further repairs for small cracks and peeling, just one year on.
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Willis shoots down Ashburton candidate's roading promise
5 Sep 2025Jeff Ryan has been promising to push the government to keep road user charges in the region of origin.
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'You can't stop stupid': New hazard rules for homeowners
4 Sep 2025West Coasters will soon be able to find out online if their property or one they're thinking of buying, is at risk from liquefaction - or other damaging events.
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'Living in la-la-land': Mayor takes aim at zero rate rise
4 Sep 2025Candidates promising a zero rate rises are ''living in la la land'', says Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon.
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The popular holiday region with sweeping speed changes
3 Sep 2025The district's final speed limit reductions have been approved, signalling the end of a process which has taken years, cost hundreds of thousands, and will see slower speeds along almost 16% of the…
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Dog attacks on Auckland's children happening almost every day
3 Sep 2025Children are being attacked almost daily by roaming dogs in Auckland, data shows.
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'Going to be devastating': Larger nitrous oxide canisters spark fears
3 Sep 2025A local body councillor fears "the youth of our community will suffer incredibly" if the larger bottles become commonplace.
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Pistol club fears closure if it's kicked out of venue
2 Sep 2025Iwi group Mana Ahuriri intends to purchase the land Hawke's Bay Pistol Club has used for 48 years.
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Act MP accuses council of campaigning for Māori wards
2 Sep 2025Cameron Luxton claims the Western Bay of Plenty District Council is campaigning on social media to keep its Māori ward.
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Hefty new fines for polluters
2 Sep 2025The fine for contaminating water jumps from $750 to $1500 for an individual, and twice that for a company.
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'Deserve more than crumbs': Councillors on Auckland Fix and Finish Fund
1 Sep 2025Auckland Council's Governing Body has approved $20m to part-fund local board projects, but none will be completed in full.
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'Rabbit plague': Brazen bunnies overrun property
1 Sep 2025Burrow holes, droppings, dead animals and damage to gardens are among the problems caused by the invasion.
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Police called in over death threats to councillors
1 Sep 2025Angry comments on community forums have grown more heated over the past fortnight as residents compare soaring rate bills, and potential water charges.
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'We're not boy racers': Pacific car enthusiasts say bill risks targeting families, cultural gatherings
30 Aug 2025The government's Anti-Social Road Use Bill is being criticised in South Auckland as heavy-handed and unfair.
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Parking wardens face abuse after fines hiked
30 Aug 2025Last October, infringement costs rose by an average of 70 percent for overstaying or parking inconsiderately at Invercargill City Council-controlled parking spaces.
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'Nature takes no prisoners': The billion dollar cost of river erosion
29 Aug 2025The river is cutting in and taking trees away on land north of Marlborough but the council can't stop it without forking out a billion dollars.
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