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local democracy reporting

SelwynOctober 28

NZTA to fund 51% of Rolleston’s ‘ring-road’ roundabout

A Canterbury council's gamble on bringing forward a $4.7 million roundabout project has paid off, with NZTA agreeing to fund 51% of the project.
Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy reporter
NZTA to fund 51% of Rolleston’s ‘ring-road’ roundabout
NZTA to fund 51% of Rolleston’s ‘ring-road’ roundabout
North CanterburyOctober 28

Councils call for more flood funding from next Government

Local government leaders are calling on the next Government to put more money into flood and climate resilience.
David Hill
Councils call for more flood funding from next Government
Councils call for more flood funding from next Government
North CanterburyOctober 27

Dairy farmers protect night sky, seabirds

Kaikōura dairy farmers are doing their bit to protect the night sky and endangered seabirds.
David Hill
Dairy farmers protect night sky, seabirds
Dairy farmers protect night sky, seabirds
SelwynOctober 27

Council dog control bylaw expired nearly two years ago

A Canterbury district with more than 16,000 registered dogs allowed its bylaw to expire almost two years ago, leaving the council scrambling to update it.
Council dog control bylaw expired nearly two years ago
Council dog control bylaw expired nearly two years ago
North OtagoOctober 26

Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election

Farming, red-tape, and an absent Labour candidate were front and centre at a meet the candidates event in the Waitaki electorate.
Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election
Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election
North CanterburyOctober 23

Candidates highlight food security during Canterbury election debate

Election candidates have debated the role councils play in ensuring food security during an election event in Canterbury.
David Hill
Candidates highlight food security during Canterbury election debate
Candidates highlight food security during Canterbury election debate
SelwynOctober 23

Mayor casts deciding vote on Selwyn speed limit changes

Selwyn's Mayor had to cast a deciding vote for the first time to approve a package of speed-limit changes across the district.
Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy reporter
Mayor casts deciding vote on Selwyn speed limit changes
Mayor casts deciding vote on Selwyn speed limit changes
CanterburyOctober 21

Rates cap could leave Canterbury roading projects high and dry

A rates cap could see major roading projects overlooked and infrastructure deteriorating, North Canterbury council leaders fear.
David Hill of Local Democracy Reporting
Rates cap could leave Canterbury roading projects high and dry
Rates cap could leave Canterbury roading projects high and dry
SouthlandOctober 20

Departed Southland council boss got $350k golden handshake, report reveals

A former Environment Southland chief executive who retired last year received a six-figure severance payout, plus annual leave and a car.
Matthew Rosenberg
Departed Southland council boss got $350k golden handshake, report reveals
Departed Southland council boss got $350k golden handshake, report reveals
North CanterburyOctober 19

Secret reserves established to protect penguins

Volunteers have been stepping up their efforts to project Kaikōura’s little blue penguins / kororā.
David Hill
Secret reserves established to protect penguins
Secret reserves established to protect penguins
South CanterburyOctober 18

Data centres may threaten dark sky status

Fears are mounting that a Canterbury district could become home to large-scale data centres, with one expert warning the area’s dark sky reserve status was at risk.
Data centres may threaten dark sky status
Data centres may threaten dark sky status
North CanterburyOctober 14

Solar farm granted consent after 25% size reduction

A proposed Canterbury solar farm that drew criticism from its neighbours has been given the green light, but it will be smaller than initially planned.
David Hill
Solar farm granted consent after 25% size reduction
Solar farm granted consent after 25% size reduction
NationalOctober 14

400% power bill rise after solar install

Waitara’s Ōwae Marae is warning others to be wary when converting to solar energy after an over-engineered installation led to an electricity bill blowout.
Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy reporter
400% power bill rise after solar install
400% power bill rise after solar install
Mid CanterburyOctober 14

‘Concerns raised about some of the things that went on’ at market day

The Ashburton Market Day is under review after there were “some concerns raised” from the last event.
‘Concerns raised about some of the things that went on’ at market day
‘Concerns raised about some of the things that went on’ at market day
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