Latest fromLocal Democracy
!['Stuff off you pathetic little troll': Nicola Willis hits back at abuse, threats](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'Stuff off you pathetic little troll': Nicola Willis hits back at abuse, threats
There is fear a normalised 'toxic environment' will impact female representation.
!['Punitive': Congestion fees would punish struggling families - councillor](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'Punitive': Congestion fees would punish struggling families - councillor
A Rotorua councillor says the solution to traffic gridlock is something else entirely.
!['Do the right thing': Northland Māori leader calls on PM to ‘sack’ Act from coalition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'Do the right thing': Northland Māori leader calls on PM to ‘sack’ Act from coalition
Pita Tipene said the Kaipara meeting felt unsafe at times.
![‘Bombshell’: Devastation as mills announce permanent closure](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
‘Bombshell’: Devastation as mills announce permanent closure
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned for local communities.
!['Locked out': Pipeline protestors met with cameras, fencing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'Locked out': Pipeline protestors met with cameras, fencing
A protestor says they are occupying their own land and have no plans to stop.
![Matanuku Mahuika steps down as Eastland Group chairman after five-year tenure](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Matanuku Mahuika steps down as Eastland Group chairman after five-year tenure
Mahuika ends five-year tenure as chairman of Eastland Group.
!['No democracy, no rates': Tauranga resident's rates revolt](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'No democracy, no rates': Tauranga resident's rates revolt
A Tauranga woman has been locked in a row with the council over unpaid rates.
![Council yet to establish origins of asbestos at Taupō landfill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Council yet to establish origins of asbestos at Taupō landfill
The council says it is too early to tell how many customers are affected.
![Kaipara ratepayers face $25k bill after Māori ward abolished](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Kaipara ratepayers face $25k bill after Māori ward abolished
The review is required under new government legislation.
![Protecting paradise: The fresh push to stop rubbish being dumped on a sacred maunga](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Protecting paradise: The fresh push to stop rubbish being dumped on a sacred maunga
Kiri Danielle has cleaned up rubbish dumped on the mountain over the past 12 years.
![Gisborne councillors confused over stricter local alcohol policy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Gisborne councillors confused over stricter local alcohol policy
Councillors confused over revised alcohol policy; thought it was to relax, not restrict
![Asbestos found in landfill used to recycle concrete](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Asbestos found in landfill used to recycle concrete
Concrete recycling at the site has been put on hold. The landfill remains open.
![Mayor says Govt water plan ‘significant step forward’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Mayor says Govt water plan ‘significant step forward’
Mahé Drysdale weighs in on the Government's new water plans.
![Iwi group gets $30,000 to help with wallaby eradication work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Iwi group gets $30,000 to help with wallaby eradication work
The group is made up of seven iwi wanting to rid their whenua of the pest.
![Lake Rotokākahi protest: Council injunction bid fails - for now](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Lake Rotokākahi protest: Council injunction bid fails - for now
The decision came with a 'word of warning' to protesters.
![Gisborne councillors vote to keep Māori wards, binding poll next year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Gisborne councillors vote to keep Māori wards, binding poll next year
Māori make up 56% of Gisborne but are historically underrepresented in local government.
![Sex toys and dirty nappies among things some try to recycle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Sex toys and dirty nappies among things some try to recycle
But the biggest headache for the council’s waste team isn’t the downright dirty.
![Failed transport hub: Tauranga council appeals High Court decision over costs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Failed transport hub: Tauranga council appeals High Court decision over costs
The council awaits trial in bid to recoup millions of dollars on site it sold for $1.
!['Resurrecting an old practice': Locals petition for natural burial site](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'Resurrecting an old practice': Locals petition for natural burial site
Nearly 400 people want the option in Rotorua.
!['That's 500 kilograms of muscle': Roaming stallions pose safety risk](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
'That's 500 kilograms of muscle': Roaming stallions pose safety risk
“Stallions will rip through fences and ropes and everything else to get what they want."
![Gisborne CBD eyesores: Mayor seeks new rules for building upkeep](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=810)
Gisborne CBD eyesores: Mayor seeks new rules for building upkeep
Gisborne's mayor urges Govt for stronger laws to tackle derelict buildings in CBDs.