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Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has put Hamilton City Council on notice. Should progress in addressing the Audit New Zealand’s recommendations be insufficient, the Government will look at a review process that could lead to the appointment of commissioners.

“I am very concerned about the findings of the Audit New Zealand report into the Council’s handling of the V8 supercar races.  The report highlighted a number of issues with the Council’s expenditure on the races, governance structures and reporting processes.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced that Cabinet had agreed to an Order in Council which allows Canterbury based councils to defer their long-term planning and accountability responsibilities.

“Under this Order, Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Regional Council, Selwyn District Council, and Waimakariri District Council can choose to defer adopting a new long term plan until 2013,” Mr Hide said. 

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced the Government has advanced a further $500,000 of the Crown’s $5 million contribution towards establishing the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA).

The Agency will be set up under the Local Government Borrowing Act which received Royal assent on 19 September and which deals with the regulatory and tax implications for setting up the Agency.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today welcomed the introduction of the Local Electoral Amendment Bill to Parliament, prior to its dissolution on 20 October 2011.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today met with Mayor Mr Neil Tiller, Chief Executive Jack McKerchar and a representative of Local Government New Zealand following a number of requests from groups and individuals for government intervention in the Kaipara District Council.

“While I am sympathetic to people’s concerns I am strongly of the belief that it is preferable for local issues to be resolved locally and therefore I do not see a need to intervene at this time,” Mr Hide said.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced the first stage of a review of the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968, the legislation which governs how conflict of interest rules are managed for members of local councils.

“The current rules are out of step with the way local government now operates,” Mr Hide said.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced the addition of the Perro de Presa Canario (commonly referred to as Presa Canario) breed of dog to the list of dogs banned from importation into New Zealand.  The breeds and types of dog banned are listed Schedule 4 of the Dog Control Act 1996.

“The tendency of the Presa Canario to exhibit aggressive behaviour or attack, and the size and strength of the breed, makes it of particular concern because of the seriousness of the injuries it could inflict,” Mr Hide said.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced the appointment of Anne Carter as a new member of the Local Government Commission.

“Ms Carter is an experienced former public servant with particular focus on strategy development, policy formation, and implementation of government programmes at both a national and local level,” Mr Hide said.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today announced the appointment of Basil Morrison to the position of Chair of the Local Government Commission. 

“Mr Morrison has considerable experience in local government, having been Chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, Mayor of Hauraki District, a member of the Waikato Regional Council, Chair of Local Government New Zealand and Chair and Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum from 2005 to 2009,” Minister Hide said. 

The government has agreed to prepare an order in council changing Christchurch City Council’s annual planning and accountability responsibilities, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide announced today.

"The primary goal of this order in council will be to condense the public consultation period for the council's draft 2011/12 annual plan so they can focus on getting on with the recovery process in Canterbury," Mr Brownlee said.

The seaward boundaries of 23 territorial authorities have been standardised to the mean low water springs (low tide mark) to provide nationally consistent seaward boundaries for all 53 coastal authorities, says Associate Local Government Minister John Carter.

“The key benefit of this jurisdiction extension is that it will allow all territorial authorities to locally regulate public nuisances and safety issues on beaches where issues arise,” said Mr Carter.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today welcomed Auckland Council’s announcement that rates across the region will rise by only 3.7 per cent - down from a projected average increase of 9.3 per cent under the old eight council structure.

“This below inflation rate increase was achieved through $81 million in efficiencies and savings, and is greater than the conservative estimate of $48 million identified by the Auckland Transition Agency in its planning document,” Mr Hide said.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today tabled the final report of the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) in Parliament which details the work the agency did to form the new single Auckland Council.

“This report is an important historical document, and details the change management process used by the ATA for the biggest change process that local government in New Zealand has ever seen," Mr Hide said.

A Bill setting up a new local government funding agency is expected to be introduced to Parliament shortly, according to Finance Minister Bill English and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.

“The agency will lower the overall cost of borrowing for all councils by allowing a co-operative approach to raising finance,” Mr Hide said. “It is estimated the agency could save local authorities collectively around $25 million a year.”

Minister of Local Government and Chair of the Cabinet Committee for Implementation of Auckland Governance Reforms Rodney Hide today released papers setting out the Government’s aspirations for Auckland, in support of the Auckland Council’s public consultation phase for the development of its first spatial plan.

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today met with Australia’s Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Hon Simon Crean to discuss developments in local government both in New Zealand and Australia. 

"Minister Crean was very interested in my work on Auckland Governance and also in what may happen in relation to the structure of local government in the rest of New Zealand," Mr Hide said.

Phil Twyford's detective work has once again shown him to be inept in his efforts to paint the new Auckland Council as a failure, Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide said today. 

The Auckland Council's first Auckland spatial plan will help to ensure that New Zealand has a city which can provide a key link to the global economy, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Envi

The Auckland Council's first Auckland spatial plan will help to ensure that New Zealand has a city which can provide a key link to the global economy, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Envi

Tonight's inauguration ceremony for the new Auckland Council marks the beginning of a new era in Local Government - and a new beginning for Auckland, Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide sa

Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide today congratulated incoming Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown, and wished her well for her first term as the civic leader of New Zealand's vibrant c

 Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide today congratulated Len Brown on becoming the first elected Mayor of the new Auckland Council.

Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide today announced his intention to clarify the application of the Auckland Regional Council Trades Waste Bylaw to ensure certainty for those in the Auckla

Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide today reminded MPs that they are prohibited from using resources provided to them as a Member of Parliament to endorse candidates in local government el