Local Democracy Reporter
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

NZ tourism hotspot makes world's top 10 trending travel destinations
Accolade comes as tourism hotspot’s business community anticipates positive year ahead.

'Told you so': Council pauses fluoridation work after court judgement
"I am resisting the urge to say ‘I told you so’,” one councillor said.

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.

'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.

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.

'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.

'Unsafe': Mayor targets 14 accommodation businesses
Tapsell is concerned about 14 providers she believes might be taking in tenants.

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.

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.

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'.

Gold clam pest invasion prevention in Rotorua 'fast-moving', council official says
Councillors have asked how the district's lakes would be protected.

Water, water everywhere: What candidates have to say to flooded business owner
Rotorua MP candidates respond to Bryce Allan's story.

Geese and wallaby woes: What Rotorua candidates think of Predator Free 2050
Candidates were asked what their parties would do to control pests.

'Stop our children being a political rugby ball': Teacher's message to candidates
One teacher believes a lack of a cross-party shared vision is 'destroying our future'.

Te Pāti Māori candidate tops informal audience poll at chamber event
Rivals say some parties had more people in the crowd.

How to solve the housing shortage? What Rotorua election candidates say
It was the first time all six stood together before an audience.

Trolley troubles: Retailers promise to help pick up dumped trolleys
Ratepayers have been paying $5000 a month for city contractors to pick them up.

Need a 'chiropractor': National's Simeon Brown hits out over potholes
School speed limits have also come under fire.

Big turnout expected for Meet Your Candidate event in Rotorua
Organiser says he will be running a tight ship, with no tolerance for hecklers.

CBD crime: New inner-city hub will house police, guardians, wardens
Where it will be, when it will open and who will work out of it.

IT upgrade costs council about $14.9m more than first budgeted
Rotorua Lakes Council had initially budgeted $3.4m for the project.

Reserve may become road for fast-tracked retirement village
The new road would be used for emergency and delivery access to the 280-unit village.

'Carrot and stick': How town halved early deaths from air pollution
'We’re at the pointy end of the stick now.'

Pensioner's two-year wait for new windows 'so we can have some warmth'
'Are you telling me that there has been a labour shortage for over the last two years?'

Poo, privacy and slurs: Why a tiny school is fighting development rules
The school is asking for neighbours to be excluded from proposed intensification plans.

Lakeside homeowners fear properties will be uninsurable after months of flooding
One says she's in a 'fool if you do, fool if you don’t' insurance situation.

Rotorua councillors vote to keep reserve previously marked for public housing
Land valued at $2 million could be used to help fill a sportsfield deficit instead.

'They really are a problem': Fence aims to stop destructive pest spreading
If not controlled, wallabies can cause millions of dollars in damage.

'I feel like a little kid again': Museum guide jumps for joy at restoration news
It has been a long fight for those fiercely in favour of restoring it.

Rotorua council decides fate of iconic museum building
'The last thing I want is for this building to become a black hole of spending.'

Candidate claims Labour invested 150 times more than National in Rotorua
But a National MP says the figures are wrong and it "invested significantly" in city.

'We want our town back': Retailer tells of PTSD as National MPs hit out over crime
Their comments are backed by a councillor who says the city is 'under siege'.

Rotorua Museum: Millions would have to be repaid if full restoration doesn't continue
A potential plan to cover the costs has been found - but it isn't confirmed