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Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today announced a further step in the Government’s drive to reduce the cost of building new homes with the appointment of 26 commissioners to the Register of Development Contributions Commissioners.

“These commissioners will serve as a panel to ensure transparency and accountability in the charging of development contributions,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

“We are committed to making sure development contributions do not unnecessarily impact housing affordability.”

A report looking at the feasibility of online voting for local body elections has been welcomed by Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

In September 2013, Cabinet agreed to establish a working party to consider the feasibility of online voting in New Zealand’s local elections.  The working party met from December 2013 to May 2014 and has now reported back with its recommendations.

The Local Government Act Amendment Bill (No 3) passed its third and final reading in parliament tonight. It paves the way for improved housing affordability and more effective local government says Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga.

“The bill includes improvements to the development contributions regime, making them fairer and more transparent. This will help keep the costs of building new homes down.”

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett today announced the establishment of a new Taskforce to rid New Zealand of loopy rules and regulations. 

“The Rules Reduction Taskforce in partnership with local government will work closely with the public to weed out pedantic and unnecessary rules that frustrate property owners and councils alike. 

The Government says it is accepting nearly all of the recommendations the Productivity Commission has made on ways to improve local regulations.

“The quality of local regulation impacts significantly on New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing.  It affects all aspects of our lives from resource and building consents through to food safety and liquor licensing,” says Regulatory Reform Minister, Bill English.

The Government has today provided an update about the review of the future governance arrangements of Environment Canterbury.

Commissioners were appointed in 2010 following a critical external review of Environment Canterbury’s performance. Last year commissioner governance was extended until 2016 to continue the progress the Commissioners have made.

Another step to improving housing affordability was made today with the second reading of the Local Government Amendment Bill, says Associate Local Government Minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga. 

“A key part of this Bill is a restriction on the charges developers pay to councils when new housing is built. These fees are one of the things that determine how much a new house costs. Ensuring they are under control is yet another way this Government is improving the affordability of housing for new home-buyers,” the Associate Minister says.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett today announced the reappointment of Basil Morrison (Chair) and Anne Carter, and the appointment of Janie Annear as Members of the Local Government Commission. 

“The appointments ensure the Commission has the knowledge and expertise it needs in a time of considerable change in the local government environment. All three appointments are for one-year terms,” says Mrs Bennett.

Mr Speaker, when the previous Minister of Local Government introduced this Bill, he followed on from the good work of his predecessors, particularly Hon Nick Dr Smith.  Dr Smith initiated the Government’s Better Local Government reform programme back in 2012.

I now add to those credits the fine work that Hon Chris Tremain did in 2012 / 2013.  This included the preparation and introduction of this Bill.

This Bill is the final legislation in the better Local Government programme. 

Ratepayers will be able to keep a closer eye on their councils’ financial positions thanks to a new set of financial prudence regulations for local government, says Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga.

“The regulations will help showcase best practice and excellence in local authority financial management. They will also improve transparency and promote more informed debate about the prudence of local authority financial management,” the Associate Minister says.

A review of the future governance arrangements of Environment Canterbury is now underway, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Environment Minister Amy Adams announced today.

Commissioners were appointed in 2010 following a critical external review of Environment Canterbury’s performance. Last year commissioner governance was extended until 2016 to protect the gains the commissioners have made.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has launched a new resource to help address family violence in ethnic communities.

The ‘Culture No Excuse for Abuse’ booklet has been produced by Auckland’s Shakti Community Council with help from the Ministry of Social Development’s ‘It’s Not OK’ family violence prevention campaign.