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The Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston has announced a second tranche of proposals as part of the national action plan to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks.

The additional changes made in this second tranche will ensure the owners of high-risk dogs are fit for the job, introduce stricter penalties for owners of dogs that attack, and improve data about dog attacks.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston today announced the appointment of six members to Environment Canterbury, to complement the seven members elected in the recent local authority elections.

The appointed members are: David Bedford, Hon David Caygill CNZM, Iaean Cranwell, Elizabeth Cunningham JP, Thomas Lambie ONZM and Professor Peter Skelton CNZM.

Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston today announced the appointment of Barry Harris as a Crown Observer to support the newly-elected Kaipara District Council settle into its new governance arrangement.

“Mr Harris is very experienced in local government and will be helping to support the Kaipara District Council as it settles in,” Ms Upston says.

“He has a strong background in governance and local government, having held directorships in the public and private sectors and chief executive positions at several councils.”

Introduction

Thank you for inviting me here today. It is a pleasure to open your 55th annual conference.

Today, I would like to announce Cabinet’s decisions on a National Strategy to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks in New Zealand.

As animal control officers, your work is invaluable. You are at the front line of protecting people and animals. The animals and the members of the public that you deal with daily can be equally unpredictable. Your work directly contributes to community wellbeing.

Today Louise Upston Associate Minister for Local Government, announced a new national action plan to reduce risk and prevent harm from dog attacks.

Under this action plan high risk dogs and their owners, rather than all dogs and owners, will be subject to stricter controls under changes to dog control laws. This will compliment a renewed focus on education, as well as new work with local government on best practice guidelines for councils.

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston today expressed thanks to the more than 3000 people who made submissions on New Zealand’s dog control laws.

“This huge response shows how passionate Kiwis are about our dogs and the need to improve safety around dogs.”

Of the 3,096 people who responded to the survey, 84% were dog owners and 48% were particularly concerned about dog attacks.

Respondents overwhelmingly identified dog owners and poor education about dog behaviour as the two biggest contributing factors to dog attacks.

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston today opened feedback on dog control rules. From 1 August through to 14 August you can share your views on how to reduce dog attacks.

Ms Upston says “our dog control laws value the role of dogs as pets, companions, and valued contributors to sectors of our economy and this will continue to be the case. But we need to find ways to reduce the danger posed by high-risk dogs and irresponsible dog owners.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Associate Minister for Local Government Louise Upston is urging New Zealand women to get more involved in this year’s local body elections.

Speaking at an International Women’s Day breakfast on Tuesday as the Minister for Women, Ms Upston encouraged those present to think about what they can offer their local community trust, health board, community board or council.

Five district councils and three city councils have been invited to demonstrate they can meet the government’s requirements for an online voting trial. If successful, the councils will be able to offer online voting alongside postal voting in the local government elections next year.

Whanganui, Rotorua, Matamata Piako, Selwyn and Masterton districts have confirmed their interest as well as Porirua, Palmerston North and Wellington cities.

The first reading of a Bill to establish a mixed governance council for Environment Canterbury (ECan) at next year’s local body elections ahead of a return to a fully elected council in 2019 has been welcomed today by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston. 

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston has today announced the signing of the Pumicelands Constitution, confirming rural fire authority responsibilities for a number of offshore islands in the Bay of Plenty.

“Offshore islands that will now be administered by the Pumicelands Rural Fire Authority (RFA) include the Tūhua/Mayor and Motiti islands, as well as the Whakaari/White and Moutohorā islands,” Ms Upston said.

Elizabeth Cunningham has been appointed as a commissioner at Environment Canterbury (ECan), Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston announced today.

“Elizabeth Cunningham has a strong background in local government and brings to the table knowledge and expertise in tikanga Māori as it applies to Canterbury,” the Ministers say.

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston says she is pleased good progress is being made in Kaipara.

In April, Ms Upston announced the three Commissioners appointed to the Kaipara District Council in 2012 would be re-appointed for a further year. The Council will now have an election in 2016, in line with triennial general elections for all local authorities.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) will move to a mixed governance council of seven elected councillors and up to six appointed in 2016 as a transition to a fully elected council in 2019, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston announced today.

Councils now have the guidance they need to decide if they want to offer online voting at the 2016 local body elections.

The Government has been looking into the feasibility of enabling local authorities to undertake an online voting trial in response to requests from councils, and a set of requirements for councils interested in undertaking a trial has been released today.

Associate Minister of Local Government Hon Louise Upston has today announced the three Commissioners appointed to the Kaipara District Council in 2012 are to be re-appointed for a further year.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston have today announced the Government’s proposal for a mixed-model governance structure for Environment Canterbury (ECan).