While the Government’s plan to put a cap on rate increases won’t address the infrastructure challenges councils are facing, a proposal put forward by the Green Party and an independent Wellington mayoral candidate has received unlikely support Stats NZ reports that high increases to council rates is now having a noticeable affect on driving inflation. Continue →

Councils across the country had some of their most challenging conversations around the table last year, as they balance the need to protect ratepayer’s long-term interests with the financial sustainability of councils, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) President Sam Broughton writes Looking ahead to 2025, we all know the long list of actions that central government is asking of local government. Continue →

Local government Minister Simeon Brown’s intention to appoint a crown observer to Wellington City Council raises concerns, not so much about the council as about the quality of the advice the Minister has received, writes Peter McKinlay Those concerns go to the very heart of the intended role of the Department of Internal Affairs of advising on Water Service Delivery Plans including whether plans satisfy the financial sustainability requirement. Continue →

While Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says recent moves to overhaul the country’s emergency management system are timely and much needed, it warns this will add costs to local government As communities continue to suffer from the devastating impacts of flooding, cyclones and other major weather events, the Government has now released its response to the Inquiry into the North Island Severe Weather Events, led by Sir Jerry Mateparae. Continue →

Central government is for nation-building and local government is for community-building, but successive central governments have failed at respecting this, Greater Auckland’s Connor Sharp writes An unidentified National party spokesperson said just last year, local government has an important role to play, but too often, councils are an after-thought for central government. Continue →

As many councils around the country implement record rates rises, the Government has rejected helpful recommendations from a report supported by the infrastructure sector, which called for less centralisation and stronger local government Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has concluded the Future for Local Government Review and confirmed that the Coalition Government will not be responding to the review’s recommendations which were released last year. Continue →

A report by the Infrastructure Commission highlights strong public appetite for funding tools that go beyond rates – particularly usage charging The Infrastructure Commission has released the results of a survey that asked New Zealanders what they think is fair when it comes to paying for infrastructure services like roads, drinking water, and electricity. Continue →

Almost all councils have now seen the initial level of investment required over the next 10 years as part of long-term planning, with many considering double-digit rates rises Providing for community needs from infrastructure is a massive challenge that is not being met and without a longer-term and committed plan of investment in old and new infrastructure, our assets will continue to decline, says Gary Porteous, Āpōpō. Continue →

No matter which parties form the next Government, Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett says they need to pick up and run with the Review into the Future for Local Government’s final report which has just been released This review is an excellent canvass of the issues and provides a toolbox of solutions for the next Government to choose from. Continue →

Creating Regional Planning Committees to take over local councils’ planning responsibilities will only result in higher building costs, more red tape, no local control and more co-governance, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says Under the Government’s plan to cut red tape created by the Resource Management Act, which has driven a housing and infrastructure crisis, three new pieces of legislation will be introduced to replace the Act. Continue →

Wellington is faced with a $6 million bill to do work on 17,000 LED streetlights which are prone to falling – a consequence of local and central government once again prioritising price over quality and longevity The streetlights were installed across the city in 2018 but it has since been discovered that the adaptors are not suited to Wellington’s strong winds, causing the lamps, which weigh up to 11.2kg, to either droop or, in worst cases, detach and fall to the ground. Continue →

Proposals from Hamilton and Christchurch City Councils to create supercities like Auckland would increase costs for ratepayers, undermine local control and reduce democratic accountability, the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says The Union is also calling on the Government to commission an independent review of the Auckland supercity that amalgamated the former Auckland Regional Council and seven district and city councils. Continue →

The old RMA is broken, but the new legislation puts even more distance between communities and decision-makers, says Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby There are grave concerns that councils will lose their power to make the best planning decisions for their community under the new resource management system. Continue →

Local government must be revitalised in order for New Zealand communities to thrive, says a draft report published by the Review into the Future for Local Government The Review’s draft report, He mata whāriki, he matawhānui, poses key questions and 29 draft recommendations to provoke discussion about how New Zealand’s local government system can be transformed to maximise community wellbeing.This Continue →

The Atlas for Cities is a free online community which provides a space for local government leaders to view case studies from around the world, see what trends are out there and to source solutions The Atlas has a sole vision to make cities smarter, safer and more sustainable. Continue →

A $2.3m Pandemic Response Plan aims to help Wellington businesses struggling under Covid restrictions and ongoing protests – should other councils follow suit? Continue →

A 13.5% rates increase has been decided by Wellington City councillors, who met last week to decide the funding options for its Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 The plan addresses water infrastructure, supports a vibrant economy, invests in greater iwi representation, enhances city safety and makes civic buildings more resilient. Continue →

Councils provide critical infrastructure services across New Zealand, including the planning, funding, delivery and regulation of billions of dollars of assets, but this 30 year old system is simply not geared for today’s challenges The traditional roles and functions of local government are in the process of changing. Continue →

Councils hit hard by COVID-19, who oversee half this country’s public infrastructure, require financial support from central government, says Paul Blair CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand Rates, which some councils are already choosing to freeze or cut, only provide 60% of council revenues, on average. Continue →