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Councils and New Zealand investors are big winners from the first multi-billion dollar local government bond listing, Ministers Paula Bennett and Paul Goldsmith say.

The Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) has today listed $5.56 billion of its bonds on the NZX Debt Market. Established in 2011, the LGFA raises debt on behalf of local authorities on terms more favourable to them than if councils raised the debt individually.

Giving councils greater flexibility to change their structures and coordinate infrastructure across a region will help ensure they are able to support future growth, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Government will introduce legislation early in 2016 to allow councils to transfer functions and responsibilities between regional councils and territorial authorities.

Findings from the Rules Reduction Taskforce show real opportunities for both central and local government to make life easier for New Zealanders, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

‘The loopy rules report: New Zealanders tell their stories’ is being released by the Government today following 50 public meetings and close to 2,000 submissions.

Hawke’s Bay residents’ decision to keep their current local government structures shows the value of letting communities decide, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

It was announced today that voters in the Hawke’s Bay have chosen not to amalgamate the Napier, Hastings, Wairoa, Central Hawke’s Bay and Hawke’s Bay regional councils.

“I have consistently said that it is up for communities to decide what they want local democracy to look like in their towns and cities,” Mrs Bennett says.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Transport Minister Simon Bridges are clarifying the power that local councils and other road controlling authorities (RCAs) have to set speed limits through their bylaws.

The Land Transport (Speed Limits Validation and Other Matters) Bill will be introduced and passed through all stages today, retrospectively confirming that local councils and RCAs, such as the NZ Transport Agency, have the legal power to set speed limits.

Good morning everyone.

It is my pleasure to be here with you in Rotorua.

Lawrence, thank you for your kind welcome, and also your leadership and drive to deliver better local government across New Zealand.

Mayor Chadwick, it’s a pleasure to be back in your city, thank you for being such a gracious host. 

I want to acknowledge the hardworking ‘local government team’, Associate Minister Louise Upston and Jacqui Dean, Parliamentary Private Secretary for Local Government.

New appointments to the Local Government Commission will continue to foster strong and effective local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed as Chair, and Mr Leigh Auton has been appointed as a member. They join Commissioner Janie Annear, who has been reappointed. The appointments are for a three year term, commencing 1 August 2015.

Announcements today on local government reorganisation applications place communities firmly at the heart of decisions about their own local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Local Government Commission (LGC) announced it would not proceed with draft proposals in Wellington and Northland, and would return to those communities to work with them on options for change.

“I have heard these communities say they are up for change, just not in the shape of the initial reorganisation proposals,” says Mrs Bennett.

An establishment board will be formed to assess whether local government’s management of the risks from natural hazards to infrastructure and other assets can be strengthened.

The $1.6 million initiative will be jointly funded by the Crown and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye say.

New Zealanders frustrated with loopy rules and regulations will have more time to submit to the Rules Reduction Taskforce, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.

“Given the success of the process, I have decided to extend the closing date for submissions from 1 June to 15 June 2015 to ensure as many people as possible can have their say,” says Mrs Bennett.

The first ever survey of how ratepayers view the performance of their local government is being welcomed by Local Government Minister Paula Bennett.

The inaugural New Zealand Local Government Survey, released today, is part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) ongoing work to lift performance across the sector.

Results show public satisfaction with local government is generally good but that its reputation for providing value for ratepayers’ dollars needs improvement.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the publication of the final report of the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“Substantial progress has been made during Doug Martin’s tenure, with the Council now processing consents on time and to a high quality standard, leading to their reinstatement by International Accreditation New Zealand as a Building Consent Authority in December,” says Mrs Bennett. 

The Rules Reduction Taskforce is underway with the announcement of Taskforce members and public meetings to begin in March to consider submissions. 

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett today announced the nine members of the Taskforce, who will join co-chairs Jacqui Dean MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary for Local Government, and Michael Barnett ONZM, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett has today launched the Rules Reduction initiative, opening the way for people to submit examples of property regulations and local rules that don’t make sense.

“People can now head to www.govt.nz/rulesreduction, to start telling us what bugs them when it comes to loopy rules and regulations,” says Mrs Bennett.