Submissions and feedback to shape the final report are open until 28 February 2023.
The Review into the Future for Local Government has published its draft report, He mata whāriki, he matawhānui.
The draft report poses recommendations and key questions to shape a more community-focused, citizen-centred local governance system.
The report outlines the need for a local governance system in New Zealand that is community-focussed and citizen-centred, based on strong relationships and partnerships.
The report is intended ‘to provoke further discussion and invites submissions to shape our final report and recommendations’, said a statement by the panel.
‘The report is proposes significant changes to strengthen local government system.’
A media statement by the panel states:
‘Local government must be revitalised in order for New Zealand communities to thrive, according to a draft report published by the Review into the Future for Local Government.
‘The Review … poses key questions and 29 draft recommendations to provoke discussion about how New Zealand’s local government system can be transformed to maximise community wellbeing.
‘This is the second of three reports produced by an independent Panel exploring how local government can enable communities to thrive, both now and into the future.
‘Submissions and feedback on the draft report are welcomed from now until 28 February 2023 to shape the final Report, which will be delivered in June 2023.
‘Local government plays a vital role in contributing to community wellbeing, and the world we live in is vastly different to 30 years ago when the current system was last overhauled,’ says Chair of the Review, Jim Palmer.
‘We’ve spent a lot of time engaging with central and local government, iwi, businesses, community organisations, young people and the wider public to shape the draft report and recommendations. There is significant potential within the local government system, and by revitalising it, we can support and enable it to better address 21st century challenges and deliver on community needs.’
‘The Report looks at how democracy can be strengthened; the roles, functions and structures of local government; the creation of stronger partnerships between central and local government and iwi Māori; and enabling local solutions to local problems.
‘Feedback on the key questions and recommendations in the report will play an important role in the final report. We invite everyone to contribute to the future of local government in New Zealand through the submissions process.’
The questions and recommendations within the draft report come under five categories where shifts are required:
- Strengthened local democracy
- Authentic relationships with hapū, iwi and Māori
- A focus on wellbeing
- Genuine partnership between central and local government
- More equitable funding
‘The Review is an important step in a critical process to revitalise local government in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our country needs a local governance system that is community focused, and citizen centred, based on strong relationships and partnerships. That’s what the report recommendations aim to achieve,’ said Local Government New Zealand President, Stuart Crosby.
A copy of the report can be downloaded here.
Submissions and feedback on the draft report can be made anytime from now until 28 February 2023. They can be made via this link.
Following release of the report, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta encouraged everyone to make a submission.
‘Just as central government is preparing for what the world throws at us by keeping debt low and continuing to invest in a high-wage, low-emissions economy; local government also needs to respond to the challenges ahead, whether it is keeping a lid on rate rises, upgrading critical water infrastructure, climate change, or ensuring diverse voices are at the council table.
‘Local democracy is critical for our society, and it is my expectation that the Panel will engage with and consider the views of as many New Zealanders as possible. I encourage everyone to have their say,’ said Mahuta.
Local governments are run system oigs whose greed and apetite know no bounds. There is not even a single sentence on cutting costs by removing the dominance of the system pigs. There is zero democracy at local government level. Most elected reps are just for their fake pride and the allowances they get. Why rates are increasing well beyond the rate of inflation for decades and nothing is done to stop the system pigs doimng it.
I have had an absolute GUTSFUL of this kind of crap.
I was always a fan of Maori being taught in primary school and then people having a choice whether to take it further or not after that, I mean why not? But this mandatory jamming it down our throats when we have no choice and no F’king idea what most of it means is when the pendulum has finally swung too far. I can now see how deluded I was to think there could be a seamless kind of future where we are all treated as equals and respected. But nah, if you have just the tiniest snippet of a certain ethnic race, you have won the lottery in New Zealand.
I am literally just tapping out, switching off, ignoring it all now after previously being open to embracing it where I could. I will not engage with any agencies, nor read any literature of a language I have little chance at my age to ever learn to competency.
Get stuffed Jacinda and your comtard nazi comrades and keep a watch out over your shoulders for the rest of your lives. You ain’t gonna win this one. ????and if you think I am p1ssed then you wait till other less controlled people get fired up.
Awww but you can’t understand why people are so angry at you. Talk about brain dead. ????
Sounds like a back door entry for three waters if you ask me. “Stronger relationship between local and central government,” the poison of this government are spreading and infiltrating into our communities and family’s lives like leprosy. The red flag ???? should be obvious to everyone. If it’s got Mahutas name attached to it then it’s sinister, evil and nothing she says it will be.” Upgrading critical water structure “ and of course the climate change hoax gets a mention. Once again the governments in our lane there’s no escaping these f***en leeches
Yes there is ring up Guy Faulkes.
Nanaia Lies……truth doesn’t mind challenges, Lies can not abide being questioned. NZ Parliament and Govt officials are sailing a ship of state piracy. The submissions process under current governance is a sham, the government intend to bring in 3 waters and erode local government engagement with communities anyway. The intention is to shift decision making onto unelected bodies