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Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor
National Party

Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor

Funding for sports facilities and community grants could be cut as Marlborough council tries to stay within a 4% rates cap.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Today
Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off
Local Government

Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off

Approvals for earthworks on 5.65 hectares could unlock a 20-year airport business park plan, with new jobs and flood safeguards in Rotorua.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Today
Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million
Disaster Recovery

Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million

Ratepayers in Westport may face higher bills as the flood protection scheme's cost blowout prompts a fresh consultation on a revised design.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Today
'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules
Climate change

'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules

Farmers may dodge tighter water limits as Hawke's Bay councillors weigh shelving the Tank plan amid government reforms.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal
Māori

Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal

Council officers say the scrapped agreements will save little time, but leave 14 iwi entities facing uncertainty over future participation rights.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Today
Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold
Climate change

Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold

Council plans for Wainui Beach erosion risks have been paused under plan stop legislation, delaying work until the new system is in place.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Closing Porirua landfill could cost $30m
Ministry for the Environment

Closing Porirua landfill could cost $30m

Most of Porirua City's waste budget may be swallowed by closing Spicer Landfill and running a transfer station over the next decade.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Yesterday
Brian Hayes wins top Building People award in Auckland
Public Sector

Brian Hayes wins top Building People award in Auckland

More than 600 guests saw the One New Zealand Stadium lead scoop the top prize, after being delivered on time and below budget.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Yesterday
Raetihi Marae to close for four months for upgrade
Energy efficient

Raetihi Marae to close for four months for upgrade

Whānau bookings have been moved as the marae shuts from 31 August to 31 December for a new ablution block and safety-critical services work.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Builders' co-op calls for major reform as industry struggles
Small Business

Builders' co-op calls for major reform as industry struggles

Construction activity has slumped to its lowest level since 2015, prompting calls for faster consents and fairer liability rules.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says
Risk & Compliance

Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says

Residents of the Ruapehu town were left without taps for nearly three days after a pipeline break went undetected, prompting calls for outside scrutiny.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises
Risk & Compliance

Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises

Residents could face weaker flood protection after a former chief financial officer accused Environment Southland of failing to deliver promised work.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Tairāwhiti emergency waste funding: Gisborne District Council gets $115,590 grant
Disaster Recovery

Tairāwhiti emergency waste funding: Gisborne District Council gets $115,590 grant

Severe weather clean-up costs in Tairāwhiti have been eased, with Gisborne District Council securing the largest share of a new grant.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last week
Solution for slip-prone West Coast highway edges closer
Supply Chain

Solution for slip-prone West Coast highway edges closer

Work to secure State Highway 6 at Epitaph Slip could still be years off, despite a completed case for a $102 million realignment.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs
Local Government

'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs

Rural households in Tasman face higher bills as new national rules force long-delayed water upgrades to protect drinking safety.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last week
Master Builders names Top 100 homes for 2026 awards
Smart Home

Master Builders names Top 100 homes for 2026 awards

More than 250 New Zealand builds are vying for national honours as judges narrow the field to 100 homes and assess workmanship, design and liveability.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week
Carterton's ground too wet, stream too low for wastewater discharge
Sustainability

Carterton's ground too wet, stream too low for wastewater discharge

Flood-hit pumping gear and a dry stream are forcing Carterton District Council to rely on costly winter sampling and land irrigation.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Upper Hutt looks at funding study for 'transformational' rail stop
Hutt City Council

Upper Hutt looks at funding study for 'transformational' rail stop

A proposed Timberlea station could spur housing and retail growth in Upper Hutt if councillors agree to fund a feasibility study.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
New rocks for Hokitika seawall as mayor brushes off concerns
Radio New Zealand

New rocks for Hokitika seawall as mayor brushes off concerns

Larger stones are set to be installed after high seas sent driftwood and debris over the Hokitika flood barrier and onto the walkway.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last week