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Councillor skips planning session at marae over te reo and faith concerns
Steve Gibson said there were several reasons for his discomfort.
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Wellington's northern suburbs demand say in Petone to Grenada road
29 Jan 2026Several residents worry about the new road of national significance's unclear impact on the environment amid what they say is inadequate consultation.
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Canterbury's Woodend Bypass work to begin soon - NZTA
29 Jan 2026Physical works on the much anticipated Woodend Bypass are due to get underway this year, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.
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Mayors fear for future of Canterbury rural hospitals
29 Jan 2026Two Canterbury mayors are still waiting for answers on the future of two rural hospitals which are in desperate need for maintenance.
![Hur1149LDRbypass: Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey (front, centre) checked in last year on progress with geotech work in preparation for the Woodend Bypass. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News [LDR single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--5t0qc_fh--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_576/v1769634506/4JU1UM4_Hur1149LDRbypass_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
Local Democracy Reporting headlines with summaries.
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What is Local Democracy Reporting?
31 May 2021Find out more about the scheme and how to become a host newsroom or accredited media partner.
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Papatoetoe by-election attratcs 20 candidates after previous result voided by courts
29 Jan 2026The by-election would give voters a fresh chance to shape local leadershup after last year's result was voided by the District Court.
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Settlement milestone to mark end of 'long, hard road' for Ngāti Hāua
29 Jan 2026The Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill will have its third and final reading in Parliament on Thursday, enacting the tribe's Treaty settlement, Te Pua o te Riri Kore.
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Mayor condemns 'ecological vandalism' on beaches
28 Jan 2026Broken signs, embedded tyre tracks, and blatant disregard for a bylaw are threatening a delicate biodiversity area, a report says.
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Outrage over illegal dumping at cemetery
28 Jan 2026It is believed the rubbish, including a doll house, soft toys and empty boxes, were dumped at the Ōtāhuhu Cemetery over the weekend.
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Giant Helena Bay Hill slip creates 20,000 truckload challenge
27 Jan 2026Authorities are looking at where to dump the up to 100,000 cubic metres of clay, vegetation and debris from the slip.
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Green MP Celia Wade-Brown to stand down at election
28 Jan 2026The former Wellington mayor first entered Parliament in January 2024.
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Vandalism at flood monitoring sites endanger community, council says
26 Jan 2026River monitoring equipment that is "absolutely critical" for timely flood warnings has been damaged by thieves on two Marlborough rivers, sparking a plea from the council.
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Stolen turtles slowly make their way home to Hastings park
26 Jan 2026The red-eared slider turtles were taken after a large square hole was cut in the fence of the Cornwall Park aviary at the beginning of January.
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Mayor wants state of emergency lifted
26 Jan 2026Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper would like to see the district's state of emergency lifted on Tuesday afternoon.
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How much did Rotorua councillors spend on their campaigns?
26 Jan 2026Returning mayor Tania Tapsell raised the most money and spent the most in her bid to get re-elected.
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Congestion charges could help Auckland - expert says
23 Jan 2026An expert believes if done well, congestion charges could encourage more people to take public transport, scooter or walk to work.
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Campervan roof torn off at NZ's most notorious rail bridge
23 Jan 2026The country's most-struck rail bridge has claimed yet another victim.
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The mystery 'Tick Tong' sticker campaign in Southland
23 Jan 2026Five-hundred stickers were created and appeared around the region.
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Dangerous playground levelled in South Wairarapa
A popular South Wairarapa playground has been demolished to make way for a safer facility for children of all ages.
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What new granny flats rules mean for costs, consents and rates
20 Jan 2026You no longer need a consent to build a backyard flat, but there are still costs and regulations.
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Waioeka Gorge closed for next month after airlift operation
21 Jan 2026Up to 40 slips blocked 60 kilometres of the state highway after the area received double its average January rainfall.
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'Do not relax': Environment expert warns dog owners, swimmers
20 Jan 2026Algal bloom is unusually low for this time of year, but there was no room for complacency.
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Settlement hit by month of rain during weekend weather bomb
20 Jan 2026It recorded over 285.5mm of rain over the weekend.
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Fisherman fears Lake Heron rules could go too far
20 Jan 2026One long-time angler is voicing concerns about being locked out of Lake Heron.
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'They will lose money': Kāinga Ora to sell land it bought for $70.4m in 2021
19 Jan 2026The state housing agency faced claims it overpaid for the Ferncliffe Farm site.
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Cats kill millions of birds, bats, lizards and other native animals a year, HBRC says
16 Jan 2026But other native animals such as bats, lizards, and invertebrates, are also particularly vulnerable, Hawkes Bay Regional Council says.
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Parents question pool's 'manu' restrictions ahead of World Champs
16 Jan 2026Some are saying they are surprised to see children being told off at the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, which has been used for diving practise.
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Gisborne mayor reflects on council staffing, RMA reforms and 2026 plan
16 Jan 2026Rehette Stoltz, Mayor of Gisborne, speaks to Local Democracy Reporting about her summer break and reflects on the year that's been and the year ahead.
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