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Building law shake-up gives hope to Rotorua's historic Blue Baths
Mayor Tania Tapsell says reforms may finally bring Blue Baths back to life.
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'Safer, greener and more welcoming': Mayor heralds new town centre
7:06 am todayLast week's site blessing, led by Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, marked the beginning of stage one works of the Lincoln $10.4 million town centre upgrade.
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Kaipara mayor survives recount challenge
26 Oct 2025Jonathan Larsen said last week's dismissal of Snow Tane's recount application created more certainty for the council going forward.
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Brenda Ralph named as deputy by Ruapehu Mayor
26 Oct 2025Weston Kirton said he made his decision based on who could relate to his way of thinking.
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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What happens when emergency strikes, but you're not yet the mayor?
24 Oct 2025While Craig Mackle was re-elected as Kaikōura Mayor, he was not yet sworn in, and could not declare a civil defence emergency during Thursday's weather.
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Possums as pets? Former Wellington mayor is dead against it
24 Oct 2025Celia Wade-Brown, who is the Green Party's associate conservation spokesperson, says possums are a serious threat to biodiversity, orchards and stock.
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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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Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence boosting staff numbers as more stormy weather looms
23 Oct 2025A strong wind warning is in place in Tararua district for severe gales gusting to 120km per hour.
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Millions flow into Canterbury flood protection push
23 Oct 2025Environment Canterbury is rolling out millions of dollars' worth of flood resilience projects across Mid and Selwyn districts.
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Long-awaited West Coast conservation plan paused amid uncertainty
22 Oct 2025The decision to pause is pragmatic but also disappointing, says the Conservation Board chairperson.
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Nelson commuters urged to ditch car once a week
22 Oct 2025A new initiative has launched to help commuters reduce their carbon emissions by walking, biking, or taking the bus to work one day a week. Audio
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Outgoing mayor Ron Mark won't rule out Beehive return
21 Oct 2025He might have hung up his mayoral chains, but his life in the public eye could be far from over.
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Council support stays but 'miracle' art studio fighting for future
20 Oct 2025Attendees of a life-changing art studio for those experiencing mental distress say it would be "a crime" if a funding shortfall forced it to make cuts.
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'A necessary evil': Councillor on working with Wayne Brown again
17 Oct 2025Manukau councillor Lotu Fuli did not mince her words about how she felt working with re-elected Auckland mayor Wayne Brown again.
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Health risk warnings as multi-million dollar clean-up begins
17 Oct 2025The clean-up after days of heavy rain and widespread flooding has begun as the Ruapehu district counts the cost of the damage.
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Government pours millions into Canterbury flood defences
17 Oct 2025Canterbury's flood defences are set for a major boost.
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Nail-biting win for Māori seats at Horizons Regional Council
19 Oct 2025Horizons Regional Council will keep its two Māori constituencies after special votes pushed a paper-thin margin to a comfortable majority.
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Mayor keen to put heated campaign behind him
18 Oct 2025Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon has gone straight back to work this week, after winning a third term.
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A zero rate rise - what would it look like?
16 Oct 2025One council chief executive said he could deliver a zero rate rise, but you might not like it.
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Committee halts new liquor store after more than 700 objections
16 Oct 2025Business owners described issues with public drunkenness, urination, nudity, and brawls.
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Fears benefit changes will impact youth job programme
16 Oct 2025Two Canterbury mayors worry that changes to youth benefit rules will impact their rural employment scheme.
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Whanganui elects first Māori ward councillors as voters signal support for seats
15 Oct 2025Whanganui's first Māori ward councillors say their election marks both a milestone for local democracy and a call to strengthen Māori participation in local government.
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What’s next for Masterton town hall site?
15 Oct 2025It will take seven months to demolish Masterton's earthquake-prone town hall.
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Whakatāne votes for Nandor Tanczos's ‘nice-to-have' approach
14 Oct 2025The mayor-elect and former Green Party MP says projects that are 'nice to have' are not what drives rates rises.
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What's planned for the fastest growing district?
15 Oct 2025The district's new mayor is promising the next rate rise will be a single digit.
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New Ashburton mayor ready to 'walk the walk'
14 Oct 2025Liz McMillan was grinning from ear to ear as she settled into the Ashburton mayoral office in the town's library and civic centre.
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Increased vote count strengthens Pacific representation in South Auckland
14 Oct 2025Thousands more votes have been counted in the Auckland local elections, affecting the outcomes of several closely contested races.
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Hurunui mayor had already won, but that didn't stop nerves
12 Oct 2025Marie Black is ready to get to back work, after seeing the make-up of her new council.
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