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Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes
Local Government

Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes

Passenger losses have prompted a review of Gisborne's routes, stops and school services after bus use fell 16% in six months.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users
Taxation

'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users

Forestry and dairy operators could face steep bills under a Carterton council plan to shift more roading repair costs onto heavy users.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
New Zealand urged to toughen plastics packaging rules
Sustainability

New Zealand urged to toughen plastics packaging rules

Pressure is mounting on ministers to act, after scientists warned New Zealand could fall behind on plastics and expose consumers to greater risks.

By Sean Mitchell • 6 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'
Public Sector

Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'

Benchmarking shows Tasman's rivers team is half the size of some peers, despite flood-hit communities pressing for stronger protection.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off
Urban Planning

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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
'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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal
Urban Planning

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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
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 • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Closing Porirua landfill could cost $30m
Urban Planning

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 • Tue, 25th Aug 2026
Brian Hayes wins top Building People award in Auckland
Architecture

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 • Tue, 25th Aug 2026
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 • Mon, 24th Aug 2026
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 • Mon, 24th Aug 2026
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 • Fri, 21st Aug 2026
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 • Fri, 21st Aug 2026
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 • Fri, 21st Aug 2026
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 • Fri, 21st Aug 2026
'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 • Thu, 20th Aug 2026