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New Zealand’s Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has initiated a review of local government, which will evaluate its future. The review will explore how councils can keep and enhance the well-being of Kiwis in the group they serve in coming years. This will also include examining how councils obtain their revenue.
On 23 April, Mahuta stated that the main emphasis of the review would be on how NZ’s system of local democracy needed to develop over the next 30 years.
The reform panel will look at what local government is, how it does it, and how it pays for it? It will also look into the future of local government, which includes:
- Roles, duties, and partnerships.
- Governance and representation.
- Finance and funding
Source: © Adonis1969 | Megapixl.com
Mahuta noted that local councils were critical to protecting and strengthening people's well-being, and there was a need to ensure that they had the resources they needed to continue providing their vital mahi.
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The assessment was prompted by the present government's decision to consolidate and amalgamate all the functions formerly performed by councils. There are also plans of merging water services and resource consenting, two of the most significant functions performed by local government.
Review panel to address the needs of diverse communities
Local councils are now undergoing a raft of changes, which will have a huge impact on their traditional duties and responsibilities, as per Mahuta. They are of the view that it is the best time to figure out what their local democracy structure can look like so that it's ready for the future.
Mahuta also wants the review to look at how local governments can best reflect Treaty relationships.
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The review will look at what is next for councils now, as why certain resources have been cut away from them and why their ability to control some decisions has been weakened?
Jim Palmer, the recently retired chief executive of the Waimakariri District Council, will lead the panel. Other panel members are former Deputy State Services Commissioner, John Ombler, strategic planning director, Antoine Coffin, Gael Surgenor, as well as former Auckland Deputy Mayor and Councillor, Penny Hulse.
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The panel will submit its findings in April 2023, with an interim report due in September 2021 and a draft report for consultation due in September 2022.
