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Tagging troubles: The city where graffiti reports tripled in a year
Graffiti more than tripled in Rotorua in the year to 30 June - costing ratepayers more than $100,000.
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Government's 'nice-to-have' rhetoric unfair to councils, mayor says
11:48 am todayJamie Cleine says government 'rhetoric' regarding council spending is stirring up feeling against councils.
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What is a 'toilet tax' and why is it affecting some schools?
4 Sep 2024The disparity between what schools are paying to councils means some are forced to dip into funds set aside for learning.
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'Kick in the guts': Rates shock for property owner
4 Sep 2024Retired businessman Clive Wickham says his rates have jumped more than 20 percent.
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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South Auckland tops list for worst cases of roaming dogs
3 Sep 2024South Auckland has the highest number of roaming dogs in the region, figures have revealed.
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Three mayors air Three Waters woes with Taumata Arowai boss
5 Sep 2024West Coast mayors are welcoming an apparent rethink on the way they deliver water services, but affordability is still the big issue.
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Dog attacks on vineyard sheep an 'accident waiting to happen'
5 Sep 2024An animal control manager in Marlborough says there have been six attacks on sheep in the past year and often "three or four or five" were attacked at once.
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Vaping at high school drops after sensors installed
5 Sep 2024Rangiora High School installed sensors with cameras in toilet corridors.
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Blame government for costs of Māori ward vote, mayor says
4 Sep 2024A deputy mayor says she its disappointed the council has been forced to relitigate decisions it made last year.
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'Forced against our will': Council slams poll law, seeks further advice
4 Sep 2024Ruapehu District councillors are seeking advice on the consequences if they refuse to run a binding poll on its Māori ward on at next October's election.
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Western Bay of Plenty votes to keep Māori ward
3 Sep 2024Western Bay of Plenty councillors have stood by their decision and reaffirmed a Māori ward for the district.
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Adding up how much the Invercargill mayor's actions have cost ratepayers
4 Sep 2024Investigations into the behaviour of Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark have cost ratepayers more than $60,000 this year.
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'Beautiful, gentle soul': Rotorua acknowledges death of Kiingi Tuheitia
30 Aug 2024New Zealand's longest-serving councillor has shared his sadness after the death of his long-time friend, Kiingi Tuheitia, who died on Friday morning.
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Faecal bacteria at popular swimming sites raise safety concerns
2 Sep 2024Concerns have also been raised about the nearby Kaiteriteri Beach and a stormwater pipe, found with disease-causing organisms, which "is like a magnet for children".
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Staveley ice rink mulls helmet rules after fatal fall
29 Aug 2024Helmets remain "strongly recommended" at the Staveley Ice and Curling Rink as it waits to consider the outcomes of investigations into a tragic accident.
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'Throwing money away': Pensioner challenges 'horrendous' council rates
29 Aug 2024Liz Whiteside doesn't believe she should pay for things she has no use for - such as a floodwall.
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Historic Hanmer building restoration hit by rising costs
28 Aug 2024The Hurunui District Council is seeking additional funding to complete the restoration of the historic Soldiers' Block in Hanmer Springs.
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'Keep the lights on': Community rallies over mills threat
27 Aug 2024The mill, which employs 230 people across two sites in the central North Island, announced it was closing due to high electricity prices.
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‘I’m stuck’: Hope fades in a community of ‘valueless’ homes
31 Aug 2024Residents of a small Southland hamlet hammered by coastal erosion are living in limbo, as the river next to their properties inches closer.
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Learnings for councils as residents want greater say
27 Aug 2024Almost 70 percent of people want to be more involved in council decisions, but reaching the community to enable engagement can be a challenge.
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'Another Ihumātao': Hīkoi against sewerage pipeline
26 Aug 2024About 100 people attended a hīkoi to wāhi tapu (sacred) Lake Rotokākahi on Monday in a stand against the route of a sewerage pipeline.
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These politicians are backing four-year terms for local councils
26 Aug 2024New poll data shows 47 percent of respondents - almost half - favour a council four-year term.
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Could merging help councils trim rate rises?
26 Aug 2024With an average rates rise of 16 percent it's clear increases of that scale can't be absorbed long-term.
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After forestry court victory, questions mount over fines
24 Aug 2024Gisborne District Council has celebrated multiple legal wins against forestry companies, but who is paying?
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Tauranga council to consider fluoridation directive
25 Aug 2024Tauranga's new council must decide whether to continue work to fluoridate the city's water or try for an extension ahead of a looming deadline, otherwise it risks large fines.
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How to grow the next generation of Pasifika politicians
It's disheartening how little support there is for Pasifika local politicians, a Māori-Tonga councillor says.
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‘I wasn’t keeping myself safe’: How Tory Whanau regained her purpose
23 Aug 2024The Wellington Mayor said she is making self care a priority after a "bad" year.
![Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the council has "stuck to its knitting" despite a 17.5 percent rates increase. Photo: RNZ/Dom Thomas. [via LDR single use only]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--_oeqNhwY--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1724291622/4KL1PEN_Anita_Baker_RNZ_Dom_Thomas_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
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