Su’a William SIO
Local Government Spokesperson
19 February 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
Local government gets its focus back
Labour’s spokesperson for Local Government Su’a William Sio has today introduced a private member’s bill aimed at
supporting local government by restoring their powers of general competence to serve and be accountable to the
communities they represent.
“The ‘four well-beings’ - economic, environmental, cultural and social - were a cornerstone of the Local Government Act
2002. They highlight the constitutional role that local government plays in community development and nation building.
“Reforms pushed through by National in 2012 replaced them with the principles of local infrastructure, local public
services and regulatory functions.
“The changes were based on factual inaccuracies and misconceptions about the role of local governments.
“The four well-beings endorse Labour’s belief that democratically elected representatives are best placed to make
appropriate decisions with, for, and, on behalf of our regions and communities. They are integral to encouraging New
Zealanders to participate and take up their right to have a real say on decisions affecting them.
“I want to restore the cornerstone of our local government system and that’s what this Bill is about,” said Su’a William
Sio.
ENDS