Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has publically released its Briefing for the Incoming Government, identifying three
intertwined areas within the local government portfolio that should be the focus for both LGNZ and the Government over
the next three years.
LGNZ President Stuart Crosby said that the briefing highlighted the need for big reforms across the three waters and
resource management to be joined up, ideally in a ‘future of local government’ programme.
“As the closest tier of government, councils play a vital role in shaping the places that communities live, and
promoting their wellbeing. This is a role that we know communities want to continue to play as the Government undertakes
a number of major policy reforms.”
“To ensure that local say is retained, LGNZ has identified three waters, resource management reform and a future of
local government programme as the focus areas for the next three years,” he said.
“The future of local government programme is vital. Reforms across the three waters and resource management, to say
nothing of the health and disability reforms, are of such magnitude that they will likely change local government as we
know it.”
“We need to be proactive and design community representation in the reforms to avoid any unintended consequences, such
as stopping people from having a real say is the policies that affect their lives. This widespread reform provides a
rare opportunity to not only ensure the status quo of representation is maintained, but to re-imagine the future role of
local government in New Zealand.”
“It’s been more than 30 years since the last meaningful review of the sector, and LGNZ believes that now is the time to
lock in the strengths of the existing system and address the weaknesses, while also enabling democratic decision-making
at the appropriate level.”
Mr Crosby highlighted the results of strong local and central partnerships over the last year, the importance of the two
tiers working to their strengths, and the need for joined-up reform of the sector.
“When local and central government partner with a common goal, great things happen. Over the last three years we’ve seen
this with the Essential Freshwater programme, the establishment of drinking-water regulator Taumata Arowai and our
Covid-19 response, where central government enabled local government to furlough 5 million kiwis for months. These are
just some of the examples what we can achieve when ground-up meets top-down.”
“New Zealanders greatly value having a say at a local level, to shape their towns, cities and regions. We want that to
continue. Key to achieving this is finding the sweet spot between local and central government.”
“Local and central government partnerships need to be formed early, in good-faith, and with a clear understanding of
each’s strengths. To my mind, that means local government’s on-the-ground experience and knowledge, combined with
central government’s resourcing and policy-making heft.”
“We have developed a good relationship with Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta over the last three years, and we
are looking to build upon that throughout this term.”
Given local government’s intersection with such a wide range of portfolios, LGNZ has shared the briefing with a range of
ministers and local government spokespeople, to encourage conversation across the house.
LGNZ’s Briefing for the Incoming Government can be found on lgnz.co.nz.