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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.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that the Department of Internal Affairs has appointed a ten-person working party to look at the feasibility of online voting.

Local councils will be encouraged and assisted to work more efficiently under new legislation that passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

A key part of the new legislation addresses one of the contributing factors to housing affordability.

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity.  I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity. I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says new financial prudence regulations announced today will tighten financial reporting, lift transparency and encourage excellence in local government. 

“The regulations will provide a standardised way of financial reporting which will encourage council efficiency and improve accountability to ratepayers. We need to learn from issues that have had an impact on ratepayers and residents in Kaipara,” says Mr Tremain. 

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says Crown Manager Doug Martin is steering Christchurch’s building consent processes in the right direction.

“I met with Doug Martin today and have been very impressed with the progress being made.  A programme of work is well underway to ensure the Council can regain accreditation as a Building Consent  Authority,” says Mr Tremain.

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill which provides powers for local boards to delegate responsibilities allocated to them has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Local Government minister Chris Tremain says the Bill puts into statute transitional regulations that were due to expire on 31 October 2013.

“The Bill continues the provisions which give local boards the powers to operate more efficiently and effectively without sacrificing community choice and identity at a local level,” says Mr Tremain.   

Local Government  Minister Chris Tremain says he will be instructing a working party to explore what would be needed for online voting to be fully introduced in the next local  body elections.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today congratulated the successful candidates in the 2013 local authority elections.

“There are lots of changes taking place in local government and it’s an exciting time to be involved in decision making,” says Mr Tremain.

“In councils where Mayors and councillors have been re-elected congratulations. Your community clearly values your leadership and it is a chance to continue with existing plans.

With eight days until postal voting closes Local Government Minister Chris Tremain is urging people to have a say in the future of their communities.

“If you haven’t completed your voting papers, get on to it today. And if your papers haven’t arrived contact the local electoral officer at your local council,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says if people expect to hold their councils accountable for decision making they need to be part of that process and vote in the upcoming local government elections.

“Local government provides vital services such as water, wastewater, roading and community services. Council decision making has a visible impact on the day to day lives of people and it’s important that we have elected councillors to represent the views of the community,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that a trial of online voting will take place in the 2016 local authority elections.

“Online transactions are the way of the future and the Government is committed to rolling out digital services for New Zealanders,” says Mr Tremain.

“I have asked the Department of Internal Affairs to put together a working party from across government and local authorities and with information technology experts. They will consider the options, costs and security issues involved in online voting.