Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraged by progress made by local councils and communities in the wider Wellington region working with the Local Government Commission on the future of their local government structures.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today called for greater collaboration between local councils to meet future community needs.
“Local government is a critical building block for our national growth and prosperity. Councils manage more than $96 billion in fixed assets and provide essential infrastructure and planning for local communities.”
Minister Lotu-Iiga was addressing local government mayors, chairs, and chief executives from around the country at Local Government New Zealand’s annual conference in Dunedin.
Associate Local Government Minister and Minister for Women Louise Upston is calling for women to put their names forward for this year’s local authority elections.
“Local government and local democracy can only work when everyone’s voice can be heard. Diversity in governance is strongly linked to better performance,” Ms Upston says.
“At the last council elections 30 per cent of all candidates were women and around 30 per cent of those elected were women. I’d like to encourage more women to stand this year.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today released the Government Response to the Rules Reduction Taskforce (RRT) “Loopy Rules” report.
The Taskforce was set up in 2015 to hear from people about what property related rules and regulations stop them from getting on with the job.
“The Taskforce report published in September 2015 provided a wealth of information about rules that New Zealanders found did not make sense or were inconsistently applied,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga challenged leaders at the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network (CSCN) meeting in London to urgently work with central governments on the challenges of global urbanisation.
The CSCN heard from agencies working across the globe that the increasing demands from more concentrated populations are outstripping the abilities of local governments to provide adequate infrastructure and services.
By 2050, more than 70 per cent of the world's population will be living in cities.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging more people to put their names forward for this year’s local authority elections.
“Local government is a critical building block for national growth and prosperity. Councils manage more than $96 billion in fixed assets and contribute more than $8 billion to New Zealand’s GDP each year,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston wants to hear from New Zealanders about their thoughts on New Zealand’s dog control laws. This feedback will be considered as part of the Government’s review of dog control laws.
“The aim of this review is to look at our dog control laws, and to consider further measures to reduce the harm of dog attacks.” Ms Upston says. “Responsible dog owners have nothing to fear.”
Local Government Minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, leaves for London today to strengthen Commonwealth ties and share plans on local government reform.
Mr Lotu-Iiga will attend the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Board meeting and the associated Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network meeting.
“This is an opportunity for New Zealand to strengthen relationships with our Commonwealth counterparts and to encourage best practice in local government across the Commonwealth,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Associate Local Government Minister Hon Louise Upston has announced the appointment of Peter Winder as a Crown Manager. Mr Winder’s role will be to support the Kaipara District Council when it returns to a fully-elected Council following the 8 October local elections.
“Mr Winder is currently a Kaipara Commissioner, and will bring with him his extensive experience and in-depth knowledge,” Ms Upston says.
World Hydrography Day, an annual celebration of the science of mapping the sea and oceans, is timely as Land Information New Zealand begins work for improving its critical navigation information, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.
“The theme of this year’s World Hydrography Day 2016 is Hydrography’s contribution to well-managed seas and waterways. LINZ already produces charts and critical safety information, but is taking steps to increase its contribution to the safe and efficient use of our waters,” says Ms Upston.
The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No 2) has passed its first reading this evening and has been referred to the Local Government and Environment Select committee.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says “the Bill will enable more innovation and collaboration across local government to deliver better local services and infrastructure”.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Labour’s Meka Whaitiri should understand the Local Government Act before leaping in to the Auckland governance debate.
“Ms Whaitiri should read the Act. If she did she would understand the Local Government Commission has statutory responsibility for reorganisation applications. As the Minister of Local Government, I cannot intervene in this process,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Labour’s Meka Whaitiri should understand the Local Government Act before leaping in to the Auckland governance debate.
“Ms Whaitiri should read the Act. If she did she would understand the Local Government Commission has statutory responsibility for reorganisation applications. As the Minister of Local Government, I cannot intervene in this process,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston today announced the Kaipara District Council will return to a fully-elected Council later this year, and encouraged locals to get involved.
“The Kaipara community has an opportunity to determine its future and I encourage community members to make sure their voice is heard in the elections. I also encourage any community members who want to make a positive difference to stand for Council,” Ms Upston says.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says today’s decision on Waiheke Island’s unitary authority proposal reinforces the need for local authority reforms.
The Local Government Commission announced today that the application to form a Waiheke Island unitary council would be treated as an alternative application to the process initiated by the North Rodney application to form a unitary authority.
The Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says a roading and transport alliance in Northland is a step towards efficient shared services that will save ratepayers’ money.
The Chair of the Northland Mayoral Forum Sheryl Mai today announced the establishment of the Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA), a collaborative alliance for transportation and roading services in Northland.
Central and local government come together in Wellington today for the 22nd forum involving the two sectors Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.
“The Forum provides the highest level of engagement between central and local government, and is highly valued. It will be jointly chaired by the Prime Minister and the President of Local Government New Zealand, Lawrence Yule,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
The Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Maori involvement with local government is being actively discussed by iwi leaders and councils.
Minister Lotu-Iiga met with the Iwi Chairs Forum at Whakarewarewa yesterday to present his Better Local Services reforms package
“The BLS reforms preserve existing arrangements under Treaty settlements and those specifically established under legislation. For example, they protect arrangements such as co-governance or co-management in respect of the Rotorua Lakes and the Waikato River.
Legislation paving the way for a two-stage transition of Environment Canterbury back to an elected council passed its third reading in Parliament today.
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith said the time was right to transition ECan back to an elected council, and he welcomed the passage of the bill with support from the Maori and ACT parties.
The Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed a commitment from the Canterbury Mayoral Forum to develop more shared services aimed at positioning the region for long-term, sustainable economic and social development.
The Minister met with Mayors and Chief Executives from Christchurch City Council and 9 district councils from Waitaki to Kaikoura and Environment Canterbury on Friday.
The Canterbury Mayoral Forum presented the range of collaborative commitments for the 2013 – 16 Triennium and proposals for the future.
Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston has announced that the online voting trial proposed for this year’s local body elections will not proceed as more work is required to ensure a trial meets public and government expectations.
“Public confidence in local elections is fundamentally important. Given real concerns about security and vote integrity, it is too early for a trial,” says Ms Upston.
Local Government Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga says today’s decision on North Rodney’s unitary authority proposal highlights the need for local authority reforms.
The Local Government Commission announced today that all of the Auckland Council area is affected by the Northern Action Group’s application to form a North Rodney unitary authority.
“The Local Government Commission is constrained by its current legislation and had little choice but to reach the decision that it has.” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says council amalgamations are still possible under new local government reforms.
The Wellington City Council last night stepped away from starting to evaluate a merger with Porirua city because it believed the new legislation would remove the requirement for a public poll on council-led amalgamations.
