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Local Democracy Reporter

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Kiwi Stories

Written by Local Democracy

Auckland Council

Kawau Island residents weigh in on rubbish stoush

Council options for Kawau Island's rubbish service could shift costs onto residents, as islanders warn of more illegal dumping.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last month

Department of Internal Affairs

Ōpōtiki waterfront jetty takes shape but faces $100,000 cost blowout

Extra rock removal is likely to push Ōpōtiki's new jetty extension over budget by about NZD $100,000 before decking starts.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

Kaikōura flood impact matched forecasts for proposed subdivision

Flood damage in Kaikōura has bolstered council scrutiny of a proposed Ocean Ridge expansion after modelling was shown to match the July deluge.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month

Productivity

Local government reform's toughest phase still ahead, council boss says

Ratepayers may see little immediate savings as councils enter the harder stage of redesigning merged authorities and ward representation.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month

Local Government

Infrastructure Minister rules out pause on Fast-track housing developments in Canterbury

Canterbury councils say fast-track housing could strain local infrastructure, after the minister rejected their call for a pause and review.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month

Sustainability

Red warnings issued to hundreds of recycling rule breakers

Bin contamination has eased in Southland, but 20 households have already lost their recycling bins after repeat rule breaches.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last month

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 • Last month

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 • Last month

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 • Last month

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 month

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 month

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 month

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 month

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 month