2023 Media Releases

New Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has been involved in politics from a young age. He joined his local residents’ association, the Clendon Residents Group, and became its Secretary, before chairing the inaugural Manurewa Youth Council.

The three councils will join forces to introduce the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Employment Programme, a nationwide partnership between Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that has a strong focus on getting young people into sustainable employment.

These areas encompass the essence of fostering a thriving democracy steeped in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, embracing the voices of our youth, and ensuring broader representation for all.

 Analysis of recommendations

The analysis explains the FFLG Panel’s recommendations, summarises their pros and cons, and poses some questions for consideration. It’s designed to help bring people up to speed and prepare for the 18 September event.

It comes as the Government released its draft Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS). This sets the Government's priorities for land transport investment over the next 10-year period and is out for consultation.    

 “The current state of our transport infrastructure is unsustainable.

 

Their "Kuhu mai" project which collaborates for Hastings’ homeless community, offers tangible, life-changing outcomes for those in need and is receiving high praise from the panel of judges.

That means between August and October, we’ll be working together to develop that position. In anticipation of that work, National Council has created an advisory period to help guide this process.

Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) 75 member councils voted on this at this year’s AGM in Christchurch. The membership also voted in a new President, Selwyn District Council Mayor Sam Broughton, and Vice President, Hutt City Council Mayor Campbell Barry.

Te Uru Kahika - Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa has welcomed the majority of changes recommended by the Environment Select Committee in their reports on two of the three new Bills that are intended to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Local Government New Zealand says the new report into the future of local government takes a common-sense approach – especially to funding, system sustainability and other challenges facing councils.  

 LGNZ President Stuart Crosby says New Zealand is out of step with the rest of the world.

Here’s an insider's look at the Budget 2023, where LGNZ's Policy and Advocacy Manager, Simon Randall, and Chief Advisor Ranjani Ponnuchetty, were present at the Government's Budget lock-up. 

A $6 billion cash injection to build more resilient infrastructure following Cyclone Gabrielle is a significant step to help our communities weather an increasing number of storms better.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and Taituarā commend Gore District Council for the movement today that sets them up on a positive path forward. 

The Climate Change Commission has released their draft advice that will inform the Government’s second emissions reduction plan (ERP). Consultation on this advice is open until 20 June 2023.  

Are you a mayor, chair, councillor, community board member or local board member? Make sure you're counted in our Census of all elected members. 

From 26-28 July, join us in Ōtautahi, Christchurch for SuperLocal, our 2023 LGNZ annual conference. SuperLocal draws local government together to inspire louder local leadership.  

The latest government freshwater report shows the need for continued regional efforts to improve freshwater health 

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)’s President Stuart Crosby says more detail is needed before we know the full impact of the Government’s Three Waters policy reset, but acknowledges it's a genuine shift and responds to key parts of local government’s feedback.  

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is in preliminary talks to develop a resolution service to prevent tough relationship or governance issues around the council table from escalating.

Forestry plays an important economic role but the land-use consequence of poorly managed forestry must be addressed, according to a joint submission to the Government’s ministerial inquiry into forestry slash. 

Libraries are at the heart of communities – they’re community hubs that enhance wellbeing and have a role in placemaking. Read about Marion Read LGNZ libraries Advisor’s recent visit to Central Otago and Southland – where the importance of their local libraries was clear.  

More than 35 councils have signed up to Adopt a Community to support councils recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle. We check in with some of the “adoptees” below. We will continue to provide more updates over the coming weeks, as many councils are totally caught up in recovery right now. You can find the list of council matches here. 

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is warning that the state of our roads could be the next infrastructure crisis if the Government does not adequately fund maintenance costs.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) are calling for enduring changes to streamline future emergency responses, says President of LGNZ Stuart Crosby.

LGNZ's new guidance on parental leave and childcare allowances will make it easier for elected members to be both a parent and a leader, says LGNZ CE Susan Freeman-Greene.

Rural and Provincial Councils met for the first time this year at the end of last week. There was strong attendance despite many of our North Island councils still dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Through out the two-day event, we used Slido to gather feedback.  

We’re delighted to share with you new research we’ve undertaken with FrankAdvice on the value of public libraries. The report explores both the role of libraries as community hubs, their value as a vehicle for public service delivery, and their contribution to community wellbeing.

“The old RMA is broken, but the new legislation puts even more distance between communities and decision-makers,” says LGNZ President Stuart Crosby.  

“At the heart of the reform lies the establishment of 15 Regional Planning Committees (RPCs).

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) wants the Future for Local Government Review panel to radically rethink how the country delivers public services, as Cyclone Gabrielle exposes the enormous challenges facing our regions. 

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has today launched Adopt-a-Community, a campaign that matches a council unaffected by Cyclone Gabrielle with a council and community badly hit.  

LGNZ is urging Government to take heed of what councils have long been calling for, and progress climate change legislation alongside other parts of Resource Management reform. 

Following months of feedback from you, we're happy to share our draft submission on the Future for Local Government (FFLG) draft report.  

Before Christmas, some elected members and councils received a message from an organisation known as Hobson’s Pledge arguing that LGNZ was providing councils with misleading advice regarding their obligations to Māori.   

Designed by and with local government, Ākona is LGNZ’s new learning and development programme, specifically designed for elected local government officials.  

The advice sets out relevant considerations that councils must have when making decisions about whether to stop or limit the provision of services infrastructure, and potential liability consequences that may flow from their decisions.