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Latest fromPublic Interest - LDR
'Makes no sense': Stores barred from selling booze before 10am
But restaurants can still serve alcohol from 9am.
'Told you so': Council pauses fluoridation work after court judgement
"I am resisting the urge to say ‘I told you so’,” one councillor said.
NZ’s first wāhine Māori chairwoman resigns Northland Regional Council role
Tui Shortland's resignation effective from Tuesday's meeting; she stays on the council.
Kaipara councillor opens meeting with karakia despite mayor's ban
The meeting opened with the words: “Kia hora te marino”.
Rates due on Monday, but Northlanders are struggling
Northland council rates are due on Monday, but many are struggling to pay.
Ruh-roh: Hundreds of dog owners face $300 fines as registrations drop
With too many unregistered dogs for door-to-door visits, the fines will be mailed.
'You’ve come too far not to go further': The young mayor sparking change in the Far North
Moko Tepania said it has been a "hell of a year" but there's plenty more to do.
'Big win' for Springfield Golf Club as council moves to shelve controversial $62m precinct
A proposal to put sportsfields on the land sparked community backlash.
'Radical idea': Mayor’s managed retreat idea divides council
A late addition to a submission to the Government about managed retreat was presented.
Sulphur city: Damage to event centre structure costs council - but how much?
The options included either a $200,000 repair and replace or a $40,000 remove and make-do.
Pensioner flats in line for $1.6m makeover as mayor backs leasing option
Mayor says current financial model is 'difficult'; no units have been added since the 80s.
23 retiree flats empty: City considers $1.6m reno project
It is also looking at leasing its full $25m portfolio to a community housing provider.
Speed limit U-turn: Rotorua moves to 'tailored' approach over blanket rules
New rules mean the council will need to lower speed limits around schools.
Cycleway scrapped: Council listens to residents' concerns
Plans for a cycleway in Te Puke have been canned because of community opposition.
New closing times ‘tough’ on Tauranga's CBD bars
Bars will now have to stop admitting people earlier.
'Looks like the wild west': Fire-gutted motel greets Rotorua tourists
A fire gutted the Golden Glow Motel's main building almost two years ago.
Mayor set to visit Japan and China - who will foot the bill
Tania Tapsell will visit two of Rotorua's sister cities at a cost of $10,000.
Public to get say on controversial 130-home Pongakawa development
The Western Bay of Plenty development is one step closer, despite opposition.
'Unsafe': Mayor targets 14 accommodation businesses
Tapsell is concerned about 14 providers she believes might be taking in tenants.
'Undoing a significant wrong': Roads returned to iwi used to build homes
Returning paper roads to marae is 'partially undoing a significant wrong'.
Ombudsman 'deeply concerned' about transparency at Rotorua Lakes Council
He says the culture of closed-door workshops is 'ingrained'.
'Extraordinary': Homeless refuse help - and face being trespassed from reserves
"Some of them simply do not want to abide by rules," Rotorua Lakes Council says.
‘It’s awesome’: Pensioner welcomes new window after two-year wait
It went in within a week of Mary Smith sharing her story with Local Democracy Reporting.
Man heartbroken as wife's memorial tree to be torn down
The regional council says the removal of the tree is essential for flood protection.
Council considers time limits at three popular parking spots
Council seeks balance between needs of workers, and those wanting to use reserves.
'Honoured': Todd McClay claims victory in Rotorua seat
Todd McClay has retained has retained his position as electorate MP for Rotorua.
Bus-stop bashings school ‘rumbles’ and not serious, councillor tells meeting
He later said he conflated two incidents and believed one was serious.
Council leadership shake-up not driven by costs or criticism, executive says
Council yet to say if change will result in salary savings.
'Upset and distressed': Abortion protests banned around hospital
"They also felt judged by seeing protesters and their placards."
A battle, an escape and an olive tree: The story behind a symbol of friendship
The symbol is a tree, planted 51 years ago, that a councillor says was ignored until now.
Why National’s big promise on speed limits might not happen
National recently vowed to make a sharp U-turn on 80km/h highway speed limits.
A year as the mayor: Why Tania Tapsell smiles even after the hardest days
Plus: How Rotorua residents and councillors think their council is doing.
Revealed: What council boss told staff when he resigned
It comes as the council appoints an interim CEO while it recruits for a 'fresh start'.