The Local Government Commission’s proposal for a single Wairarapa District Council is welcome but a more comprehensive approach is needed, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Selwood. Continue →

New Zealand’s infrastructure is at a crossroads and needs to be a key focus in the upcoming election, Local Government New Zealand believes. Continue →

The 2017 Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) EXCELLENCE Awards finalists span a broad range of council leadership initiatives from a weed blitz to mountain biking and innovative economic strategy The awards, now in their fourth year, recognise and celebrate the key role local government plays within New Zealand communities. Continue →

New Zealand’s infrastructure, community resilience and how we respond to increasing impacts on our environment will be key areas of focus for local government in the coming three years Local Government New Zealand has announced its updated policy priorities, which will focus on the major issues New Zealand will face now and into the future, and inform its forthcoming 2017 election manifesto. Continue →

Tourism Minister Paula Bennett’s announcement of a new $102 million Tourism Infrastructure Fund alongside $76 million in new funding for the DOC Estate has received a mixed reception Local Government New Zealand says the funding is “a step in the right direction”, but the Green Party believes it “falls short of what’s needed to cope with skyrocketing tourist numbers”. Continue →

The full extent of the infrastructure investment needed so communities can keep up with unprecedented tourism growth has been highlighted through a recent survey of local government The tourism boom New Zealand is currently experiencing is putting pressure on infrastructure used by both international visitors and local communities. Continue →

A new report into the funding of tourism infrastructure which further highlights the need for greater investment to ensure sustainable growth of New Zealand’s largest industry has been welcomed by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). Continue →

The announcement that government will extend the employee support subsidy for quake affected businesses to the Wellington region, including Lower Hutt, has been welcomed by Lower Hutt mayor Ray Wallace. Continue →

It is time to put the government back into local government and limit central government’s interference in what councils should be doing The New Zealand Initiative believes. Continue →

The Productivity Commission’s Better Urban Planning draft report has been generally welcomed by both the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). Continue →

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says current proposals to reform the Local Government Act have the potential to threaten local democracy and the ongoing sustainability of some councils if enacted. Continue →

The proposed Auckland Unitary Plan recommendations introduces a significant step-change to planning in the Auckland region, the New Zealand Planning Institute’s (NZPI) Auckland planners say. Continue →

Labour’s newly released policy takes on the issues of Auckland and the rest of the country’s housing difficulties Labour’s new housing policy includes a proposed Affordable Housing Authority with the power to buy land compulsorily. Continue →