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"The Government acknowledges the right of the Bay of Plenty regional council or any other territorial local authority to promote legislation it believes is in the best interests of its residents and ratepayers," said Local Government Minister Sandra Lee

"Mr McCully has confirmed his lack of knowledge on local government issues today," Local Government Minister Sandra Lee said, commenting on claims made today by the opposition MP."

"Murray McCully's outburst regarding Carol Stigley and the Government's relations with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), while predictable, is factually incorrect," Local Government Minister Sandra Lee responded tonight.

"I am aware of the concerns of community boards about the present provisions allowing dual membership of territorial authorities and community boards.

Local Government New Zealand President Louise Rosson, Vice Presidents Phil Warren and Gordon Blake, conference delegates ¡V It¡¦s a pleasure to be here with you this afternoon.

The Alliance and Labour, now in Government, fought the election on a policy of ending asset sales.

The Minister of Local Government Hon Sandra Lee says the Government has moved to kick start long-awaited local authority reforms, with a 50% boost in Budget funding for local government policy advice.

I see the opportunity to talk today about the role of local authorities in relation to Maori land as a very timely one.

Labour Caucus Room, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Thank you for inviting me to speak with you this afternoon.
Some of you may share a previous involvement like my own in local body politics.

Cabinet Minister Hon Sandra Lee has marked the unveiling of the country's first dual name state highway sign in the South Island today with a suggestion that the whole of New Zealand should consider following the South Island lead on bilingual road sign

The Minister of Local Government and Associate Maori Affairs Minister Hon Sandra Lee has welcomed the election of environmental activist Raymond Ahipene-Mercer to the Wellington City Council, following a by-election in the city's eastern ward.

Hon. SANDRA LEE (Minister of Local Government): I move, That the Local Government (Rodney District Council) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

Hon. SANDRA LEE (Minister of Local Government): I move, That the Local Government (Rodney District Council) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.

Hon. SANDRA LEE (Minister of Local Government): I move, That the Local Government (Rodney District Council) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.

Hon Sandra Lee, responds as follows:

The Local Government Act 1974 requires that the level of remuneration for members of a commission, appointed under section 692W of the Act, be approved by the Minister of State Services under the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951.

The Minister of Local Government, Hon Sandra Lee, has told Cabinet today she has accepted a Ministerial Review Authority recommendation to appoint a Commission to replace the elected representatives of the Rodney District Council.

Local Government Minister Sandra Lee says the period of statutory consultation, on the recommendation of the Ministerial Review Authority to appoint a commission of one or more people to run the Rodney District Council, ends at "close of business" tomor

The Minister of Local Government, Hon Sandra Lee, has urged a conference of regional council communications staff from throughout New Zealand to help re-build the trust that some electors have lost in their local democracy over the last decade.

Thank you for inviting me here to speak today.

I was very happy to accept the invitation. Communications people play a vital role in the success of all organisations both public and private.

The Minister of Local Government Hon Sandra Lee says the Government will be paying close attention to the findings of the Auckland Mayoral Forum's report on The Future of Local Government in the Auckland Region.

“It is up to councils, in consultation with their communities, to decide on the services and the levels of service that councils should be providing,” the Minister of Local Government said today.

The Minister of Local Government Hon Sandra Lee has cautioned the Rodney District Council today, saying it must set about fulfilling its statutory responsibilities or it may confront the prospect of central government intervention.

"I have today received confirmation of the resignation of the Mayor and five councillors of the Rodney District Council," the Minister of Local Government said.