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Local Democracy Reporting

ChristchurchOctober 13

Review finds marine precinct sale process okay but communication lacking

An Auditor-General review of the controversial $14 million Tauranga Marine Precinct sale to a Christchurch developer has found the council followed an appropriate process and demonstrated it considered value for money.
Ayla Yeoman, local democracy reporter
Review finds marine precinct sale process okay but communication lacking
Review finds marine precinct sale process okay but communication lacking
North CanterburyOctober 13

Fireworks on and off the stage at candidates meeting

An independent candidate was forced to watch from the sidelines as sparks flew at an election meeting in Canterbury on Monday.
David Hill
Fireworks on and off the stage at candidates meeting
Fireworks on and off the stage at candidates meeting
SelwynOctober 12

‘People thought we would fail': Selwyn mayor reflects on first year in office

Selwyn's mayor has admitted to having a hectic first year in office, bringing a largely new council together despite a year disrupted by unexpected challenges.
Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter
‘People thought we would fail': Selwyn mayor reflects on first year in office
‘People thought we would fail': Selwyn mayor reflects on first year in office
North CanterburyOctober 12

ECan to continue supporting Chatham Islands — for now

A more than 20-year partnership between the Chatham Islands and Canterbury regional council is coming to an end – but not because of local government reform.
David Hill
ECan to continue supporting Chatham Islands — for now
ECan to continue supporting Chatham Islands — for now
West CoastOctober 12

West Coast leaders wary of spatial plan mandate

West Coast leaders are worried about the cost of the govt's new regional spatial plan requirements when ratepayers have just forked out $10m for the region's new combined district plan.
Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy reporter
West Coast leaders wary of spatial plan mandate
West Coast leaders wary of spatial plan mandate
Mid CanterburyOctober 11

New $1.5m footpath planned

Ashburton residents might finally get a new $1.5m footpath, but only if NZTA approves the funding.
New $1.5m footpath planned
New $1.5m footpath planned
North CanterburyOctober 7

Driver licence changes unfair, say young Cantabrians

Young drivers in rural Canterbury will be disadvantaged by the proposed changes for learner drivers, Hurunui Youth Council members say.
David Hill
Driver licence changes unfair, say young Cantabrians
Driver licence changes unfair, say young Cantabrians
North CanterburyOctober 7

Canterbury council addresses homelessness after reports of intimidating behaviour

Anyone concerned about homelessness in Waimakariri will soon be able to refer people on for support.
David Hill
Canterbury council addresses homelessness after reports of intimidating behaviour
Canterbury council addresses homelessness after reports of intimidating behaviour
SouthlandOctober 7

Businessman trespassed from second Southland council

Embattled slink skin operator Da Cheng ‘’Eddie’’ Zhi has been trespassed by a second Southland council following “offensive” behaviour.
Matthew Rosenberg
Businessman trespassed from second Southland council
Businessman trespassed from second Southland council
North CanterburyOctober 7

Rangiora's failing water pipes to get 'once in a generation' overhaul

Retailers and shoppers on Rangiora’s High St can expect some disruption next year as the Waimakariri District Council replaces water pipes.
David Hill
Rangiora's failing water pipes to get 'once in a generation' overhaul
Rangiora's failing water pipes to get 'once in a generation' overhaul
North CanterburyOctober 6

High fuel prices creating public transport challenges

Fuel costs are continuing to bite, as Canterbury’s regional council grapples with an increased in demand for bus services.
David Hill
High fuel prices creating public transport challenges
High fuel prices creating public transport challenges
North CanterburyOctober 5

Major planning shake-up for council consenting

A Canterbury council boss says staff are preparing for the biggest change to planning and consent rules in 35 years.
David Hill
Major planning shake-up for council consenting
Major planning shake-up for council consenting
North CanterburyOctober 5

New speed limit for part of State Highway 1

Motorists are being asked to take their foot off the gas as they approach a Canterbury town from the south on SH1.
David Hill
New speed limit for part of State Highway 1
New speed limit for part of State Highway 1
SouthlandSeptember 29

Run-down Invercargill council building still awaiting repairs

A fifth of the $21 million set aside to fix issues at Invercargill City Council’s ageing headquarters has been spent, despite no repair work being carried out.
Matthew Rosenberg of LDR
Run-down Invercargill council building still awaiting repairs
Run-down Invercargill council building still awaiting repairs
Mid CanterburySeptember 28

Should dogs be allowed in cemeteries?

Ashburton councillors were fighting like cats and dogs during a heated debate over cemetery access, with a final vote of 5-4 vote to keep canines out.
Should dogs be allowed in cemeteries?
Should dogs be allowed in cemeteries?
SelwynSeptember 24

Mayors frustrated by decision to pause council mergers

Two Canterbury mayors say the Government's pause on merger proposals has left councils frustrated, with no clear indication of what comes next.
Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter
Mayors frustrated by decision to pause council mergers
Mayors frustrated by decision to pause council mergers
North CanterburySeptember 24

El Niño summer could leave Hanmer isolated

“Be prepared” is the message for Hanmer Springs residents as the Canterbury region braces itself for a hot, dry summer.
David Hill
El Niño summer could leave Hanmer isolated
El Niño summer could leave Hanmer isolated
North CanterburySeptember 23

Rangiora after hours funding on track — Health NZ

North Canterbury’s new after hours urgent care medical facility is expected to open by Christmas, but funding remains uncertain.
David Hill
Rangiora after hours funding on track — Health NZ
Rangiora after hours funding on track — Health NZ
ChristchurchSeptember 23

From the cricket pitch to the principal's office

Former international cricketer Haidee Tiffen will take the reins as principal at Riccarton High School in Christchurch on Friday.
David Hill
From the cricket pitch to the principal's office
From the cricket pitch to the principal's office
SelwynSeptember 22

Ring-road roundabout plan picks up speed

Selwyn’s mayor has her “fingers crossed for co-funding” to pay for a $5.3m Rolleston roading project, which is moving ahead sooner than planned.
Ring-road roundabout plan picks up speed
Ring-road roundabout plan picks up speed
SelwynSeptember 22

Canterbury councils expect verdict on local government reform soon

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon expects to hear this week if her district's proposal to become a stand-alone unitary council has been accepted.
Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter
Canterbury councils expect verdict on local government reform soon
Canterbury councils expect verdict on local government reform soon
North CanterburySeptember 21

Little penguins left off bird flu vaccine list

Wildlife advocates are disappointed the Kaikōura district’s little penguins have been left off the Government’s avian flu vaccination list.
David Hill
Little penguins left off bird flu vaccine list
Little penguins left off bird flu vaccine list
Mid CanterburySeptember 16

Ratepayers covering cost of green bin service despite rollout delay

Ashburton ratepayers are set to pay for a green bin service for six months before it starts after the rollout was delayed by a global plastic shortage.
Ratepayers covering cost of green bin service despite rollout delay
Ratepayers covering cost of green bin service despite rollout delay
North CanterburySeptember 15

Canterbury mayor backs housing development

A new housing development in east Rangiora shows what can be achieved when developers work with the council, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says.
David Hill
Canterbury mayor backs housing development
Canterbury mayor backs housing development
West CoastAugust 20

Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer

An investment case to find a long-term solution to the Epitaph Slip on SH6 in South Westland has now been completed but work on a permanent realignment could be years away.
Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy Reporter
Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer
Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer