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local democracy reporting

West CoastJuly 16

Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel

Rare Westland petrels nesting in the Punakaiki area may be at risk of bird flu, with the entire West Coast exposed to infected migratory seabirds from Australia.
Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel
Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel
SouthlandJuly 16

Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units

Tenants at a council-owned housing complex in Invercargill have spoken positively about their new homes in the face of criticism they cost too much to build.
Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units
Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units
CanterburyJuly 14

Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo

Mackenzie's mayor is standing by a social media post urging visitors to reconsider visiting Tekapo over the long and snowy Matariki weekend.
Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo
Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo
NationalJuly 14

Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo

Mackenzie's mayor is standing by a social media post urging visitors to reconsider visiting Tekapo over the long and snowy Matariki weekend.
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
North CanterburyJuly 7

Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura

Heavy rainfall has led to washed-out bridges, evacuations and power cuts around Kaikōura, where a state of emergency is in place as heavy rain continues to lash the area.
Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura
Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura
SouthlandJuly 2

Rate rises less than expected

Southland councils have approved average rates increases which are less than initially projected.
SouthlandJuly 1

Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’

A new $2.8 million council-owned housing complex for elderly persons has been criticised by some Invercargill representatives for costing too much.
Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’
Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’
CanterburyJune 30

Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'

The choice between a North Canterbury or a rural Canterbury unitary council has left the Hurunui District Council undecided.
Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'
Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'
NationalJune 30

ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed

An ACT candidate has withdrawn from a new Wellington electorate race at November’s election, after failing to declare her previous membership of a Chinese political group linked to the country’s ruling communist party.
ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed
ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed
SouthlandJune 25

Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip

The final cost of sending Southland’s mayor to the other side of the world has increased, as emails show some councillors were concerned about how the trip could be perceived.
Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip
Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip
SouthlandJune 25

Embattled lagoon helped by planting

The arrival of thousands of native plants near a Southland lagoon has been heralded as a success, despite some falling victim to pests.
Embattled lagoon helped by planting
Embattled lagoon helped by planting
SouthlandJune 17

Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council

Verbal abuse, a windscreen shattered by a mystery object, and the discovery of a firearm while sampling river water are some of the ordeals Southland council employees have faced.
Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council
Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council
SouthlandJune 17

Bid for private investment to secure SDC asset

Proposals to help a struggling Fiordland airport take flight will be evaluated by a regional development agency in the coming weeks.
Bid for private investment to secure SDC asset
Bid for private investment to secure SDC asset
NationalJune 17

'Cats do monstrous amounts of damage': ownership rules reassessed

A conservation group looking to bring native birds back to a Canterbury town have welcomed council plans for expanded rules around cat ownership.
'Cats do monstrous amounts of damage': ownership rules reassessed
'Cats do monstrous amounts of damage': ownership rules reassessed
CanterburyJune 16

District council confirms rates rise

Two North Canterbury councils will have rate rises of about 5%, if you include the cost of water services.
District council confirms rates rise
District council confirms rates rise
CanterburyJune 15

Welcome to Waimakariri

There is no place like home, says Padi Nistala who has lived in the Waimakariri district for more than a decade.
Welcome to Waimakariri
Welcome to Waimakariri
CanterburyJune 15

Pensioners facing $100 a week rent rise

Pensioners could face rent hikes of almost $100 per week under an Ashburton District Council proposal.
Pensioners facing $100 a week rent rise
Pensioners facing $100 a week rent rise
SouthlandJune 12

Southland's nitrate data goes online amid concerns

Southland residents have gained better access to nitrate level data following claims of a public health crisis from an environmental organisation.
Southland's nitrate data goes online amid concerns
Southland's nitrate data goes online amid concerns
SouthlandJune 12

Firearms, smashed glass: What employees faced at southern council

Verbal abuse, a windscreen shattered by a mystery object, and the discovery of a firearm while sampling river water are just some of the ordeals Southland council employees have faced.
Firearms, smashed glass: What employees faced at southern council
Firearms, smashed glass: What employees faced at southern council
ChristchurchJune 11

Christchurch mayor told to 'put his big pants on' for merger talks

An Ashburton district councillor says Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger should "put his big pants on and say we want to go to a super city" in Canterbury.
Christchurch mayor told to 'put his big pants on' for merger talks
Christchurch mayor told to 'put his big pants on' for merger talks
South CanterburyJune 10

Bid to take more water from lake could be fast-tracked

Meridian Energy’s bid to draw more water from Lake Pukaki has sparked concerns about the damage it could do to the Mackenzie district's tourism industry and environment.
Bid to take more water from lake could be fast-tracked
Bid to take more water from lake could be fast-tracked
CanterburyJune 10

'Huge implications': Fast-track bid sparks fears for Lake Pukaki

Meridian Energy’s fast-track proposal to draw more water from Lake Pukaki has sparked concerns it could hurt Mackenzie's tourism industry and threaten its pristine image.
'Huge implications': Fast-track bid sparks fears for Lake Pukaki
'Huge implications': Fast-track bid sparks fears for Lake Pukaki
NationalJune 9

Suspect reeled in after salmon statue vandalised

A 35-year-old man has been charged after the famous salmon statue next to State Highway 1 in Rakaia was defaced during an environmental protest.
Suspect reeled in after salmon statue vandalised
Suspect reeled in after salmon statue vandalised
CanterburyJune 9

Charges laid after salmon statue vandalised

A 35-year-old man has been charged after the famous salmon statue next to State Highway 1 in Canterbury was defaced during an environmental protest.
Charges laid after salmon statue vandalised
Charges laid after salmon statue vandalised
West CoastJune 8

West Coast's $65m investment in flood defences

The West Coast Regional Council has a record $65 million worth of flood protection projects on its books. Among the most critical is a $25.8m project for the flood-prone town of Westport.
West Coast's $65m investment in flood defences
West Coast's $65m investment in flood defences