LGNZ welcomes appointment of Hon David Carter

Local Government New Zealand welcomes today’s appointment of Hon David Carter as the new Minister of Local Government.

“We look forward to working with Mr Carter,” says LGNZ President, Lawrence Yule.

“Our new Chief Executive Malcolm Alexander also started today, so an influx of new people bringing fresh ideas to the table is a positive prospect,” Mr Yule said.

“We have an interesting year ahead, as the local government sector works with central government in implementing appropriate aspects of the Better Local Government reforms”.

“We will also not hesitate to put the case for alternatives, and highlight what we see as shortcomings in proposed legislation where the needs of the sector are not understood, or are not being met.”

LGNZ supports Better Local Government in principle but there are caveats:

• Amalgamation must remain optional and be up to local communities. One size does not fit all.

• Councils must remain responsible to their communities, not central government.

• Local government is one of two tiers of government empowered in its own right. Its strength is its closeness to the people.

• Debt is essential for funding infrastructure and spreading costs and benefits over generations.

• Local government must be free to provide services where gaps exist (where this passes the ‘public good’ test).

ENDS

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