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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

Cost blowout for new Waikato football turf revealed to be $500k
Local Government

Cost blowout for new Waikato football turf revealed to be $500k

Unexpected ground conditions pushed the Korikori Park project to about GBP £2.6 million, but the turf is already easing cancellations for local teams.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are
Risk & Compliance

Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are

Unrecorded sections of Southland's water network are complicating planning, as councillors were told the council still has pipes it cannot locate.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Today
'We have to push back': Mackenzie residents meet over solar expansion
Clean technologies

'We have to push back': Mackenzie residents meet over solar expansion

Residents fear fast-tracked solar farms could reshape the Mackenzie District without local say, prompting calls for pushback and compensation.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Nelson mayor reassures 'open mind' on civic centre options
Local Government

Nelson mayor reassures 'open mind' on civic centre options

Residents fear the council has already settled on a site for Nelson's $73 million civic centre, but Mayor Nick Smith says all options remain open.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Details of bids to help struggling Fiordland airport kept under wraps
Taxation

Details of bids to help struggling Fiordland airport kept under wraps

Questions remain over investor interest in Te Anau Airport Manapōuri, after the council declined to say how many bids were lodged.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Solar on schools in line with Kaikōura's dark sky status - principal
Clean technologies

Solar on schools in line with Kaikōura's dark sky status - principal

The Government says large schools could save about NZD $8000 a year as solar panels are fitted over three years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last week
Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks
Data Analytics

Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks

Water losses in Masterton have been cut to 15% as better meter data helps the council spot hidden leaks and prompt repairs.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
'Highway robbery': South Island leaders demand fairer transport funding
Local Government

'Highway robbery': South Island leaders demand fairer transport funding

South Island councils say the region gets too little of New Zealand's transport budget, despite generating a quarter of the population and a third of exports.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Canterbury town may finally get a bus service
Local Government

Canterbury town may finally get a bus service

Amberley commuters may soon have a $5 bus to Christchurch, ending the Hurunui district's long public transport drought.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Mayors slam 'pointless', costly reviews that'll be voided by council mergers
Public Sector

Mayors slam 'pointless', costly reviews that'll be voided by council mergers

Ratepayers could face more than NZD $2.5 million in wasted work, as councils prepare reviews that may be overtaken by mergers.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
NRC explores how AI could boost council services and decision-making
Data Protection

NRC explores how AI could boost council services and decision-making

The review could identify quick wins for Northland residents, while weighing privacy, security and ethical risks before any rollout.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
North Canterbury schools set to light up on solar power
Clean technologies

North Canterbury schools set to light up on solar power

The move should cut electricity bills and emissions, with Oxford Area School among 500 schools to get rooftop panels over three years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth
Local Government

Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth

The district's residential and industrial land shortage could bite within 25 years, prompting public consultation on rezoning in its main centres.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'
Radio New Zealand

Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'

Boil notices remain in place while testing continues, though Ohakune's water supply has been restored and the emergency is easing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart
Local Government

Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart

The council could be forced into a government-designed restructure unless ministers grant extra time after its regional reform plan collapsed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last week
Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection
Local Government

Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection

Officials will still assess Tauranga's bid for a new unitary authority, despite Western Bay of Plenty District Council refusing to join it.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed
Radio New Zealand

Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed

Ratepayers could face a six-figure bill if Kawerau extends the 70kmh zone on State Highway 34, with funding uncertain.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last
Risk & Compliance

Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last

Residents welcomed approval for a basic rebuild of Days Track, though council staff warn storms will likely damage it again.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future
Hutt City Council

Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future

Ratepayers face sweeping council restructures as ministers weigh rival merger bids, with some regions set for government-imposed changes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 8 min read • Last week