Latest news with #LGNZ
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
LGNZ Welcomes Draft National Infrastructure Plan, Calls For Better Collaboration
Local Government NZ (LGNZ) has welcomed the Infrastructure Commission's draft National Infrastructure Plan, which calls for the Government to commit to greater transparency and more rigorous business cases for major infrastructure projects. LGNZ national council member Mayor Neil Holdom says councils – unlike the Government – already operate under robust legal requirements for long-term planning, transparent reporting and prudent asset management. 'This is exactly what the Infrastructure Commission is calling for, and it's great to see central government starting to hold itself to the same standards it expects of councils,' says Mayor Neil Holdom. 'We all know there are a number of infrastructure challenges in New Zealand, and the best way to tackle these challenges is for central and local government to work together constructively to find the best outcomes. 'There are many things we can learn from one another, and we owe it to our communities to do that if we want to achieve the desired outcomes. 'However, it's also important that we caution against complacency. Councils' experience shows that even with strong frameworks in place, the real challenge lies in prioritising investments that deliver the greatest value for communities and ensuring maintenance and renewals are not overlooked in favour of new, 'shiny' projects – as well as making sure funding and financing settings support both these aims. 'We look forward to working with the Government on a way forward, in order to deliver on better infrastructure outcomes for the country.'
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Collaboration Essential To Tackling Housing Challenges — LGNZ
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says it is vital local and central government work together to address the country's housing issues, including incentivising councils to achieve housing growth. This follows the release of the Government's 'Going for Housing Growth' consultation document today, which outlines Pillar 1 of the Government's Going for Housing Growth programme. LGNZ Vice President Campbell Barry says that while many of the proposals are welcome, the time has come for the Government to establish a more positive relationship with councils on housing. 'It's clear that significant action is needed to address New Zealand's housing crisis, and some of what the Government is proposing is a positive step towards this,' says Campbell Barry. 'And while we understand and share the Government's concern around the issues that exist in the RMA space, it's not helpful or accurate to portray councils as the sole architects of New Zealand's housing crisis. 'Councils have faced ongoing uncertainty as planning rules have changed repeatedly; the RMA was replaced, then that system was repealed, there were promises and reversals on the Medium Density Residential Standards, multiple RMA amendments, and now another replacement is being rushed through. 'The goal posts for councils have been constantly shifted.' 'With the exception of Government giving itself power to intervene in plans, we're confident that councils will respond positively to these changes overall. But the Government also needs to give councils the chance to deliver before it imposes unnecessary constraints on local decision-making, such as the ability for Government to intervene directly to alter the structure of council plans.' Campbell Barry says that the best way to achieve housing outcomes is to stop disincentivising councils to allow for growth. 'It's important to acknowledge that many councils across the country have worked extremely hard to cater for growth, as they recognise the need for more housing and growth. 'If the Government wants to encourage the right behaviours in a sustainable way and build on its good work around development levies, it needs to follow through on introducing a share of GST on new builds to encourage councils to support growth — as well as other funding levers that enable housing growth. 'That would be a far better and more effective option than the Government threatening to veto council decisions. 'We look forward to engaging with the Government further to ensure local and central government work together, to address the housing issues that continue to plague our country'.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Councils Compete For SuperLocal Awards; 2025 Finalists Announced
The finalists have been announced for next month's Local Government New Zealand's (LGNZ) SuperLocal Awards, with 20 councils vying to be recognised across five exciting categories. The annual LGNZ SuperLocal Awards were created to recognise and celebrate excellent performance by local councils in leading their communities and working together. LGNZ CE Susan Freeman-Greene says that local government plays a huge role in shaping our communities — yet much of its work goes unnoticed or is undervalued. 'The SuperLocal Awards are all about showcasing the incredible outcomes that councils across the country achieve for their communities. Every year, councils go the extra mile to deliver what their communities need and want, and these awards are our chance to celebrate and share those successes,' says Susan Freeman-Greene. 'The SuperLocal awards are a highlight of our LGNZ annual conference, held this year in Christchurch from 16-17 July. These awards showcase the best in leadership, collaboration, innovation, engagement, and environmental sustainability that our councils have to offer.' This year's awards are spread across the SuperHuman, SuperEngaged, SuperCollab, SuperIdea and SuperSteward categories, with judges including former Mayors Rachel Reese, Kerry Prendergast, Tim Cadogan and Justin Lester among others.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Wondering whether we should wander down the WALGA way
Local Government New Zealand is failing ratepayers, Russell Garbutt writes. Recently I had the good fortune to have a long conversation with the deputy president of the West Australian Local Government Association. I was astounded at the range of services that this independent, member-based, not-for-profit organisation offers, and during our discussion we compared it to Local Government New Zealand. It is more than abundantly clear that the two organisations are like chalk and cheese. A comparison between their two websites shows the clearly divergent directions both organisations have taken, and I'd suggest that if New Zealand started to follow the direction of West Australia, then the local government rates would be immediately reduced. The members of LGNZ each pay a "subscription" based on their size and for this they basically get a pile of amorphous benefits. A glance down the LGNZ's reason for being includes these: • Nga kaupapahere me te kokiritanga — policy and advocacy; • Nga akoranga me te tautoko — learning and support; • Nga taiopenga me te tuitui whatunga — events and networking. Delving a little further, LGNZ: • Identifies issues and advocate for members to build vibrant communities, policy expertise to unpack proposals, reforms, consultation and legal opinions; • Says that when anyone from government wants to talk to local government, ministers, MPs, advisers, or influencers [read "lobbyists"] come to LGNZ, who then speak on behalf of councils; • LGNZ organise regular sector, zone and network meetings; • LGNZ provide templates for councils to make submissions and policy submissions. I would contend that all of this is nothing other than a framework for talkfests, the production of word salads and another excuse for councillors to budget yet more travel and accommodation to attend yearly or quarterly bunfights. In fact, some of these bunfights (generally called zone, sector or national conferences) are attended by those that don't actually qualify, but if the budgets for travel, accommodation and daily sustenance aren't spent, then they might be questioned next year so the money needs to be used. In totality, LGNZ don't have a single real benefit under their current structure and reason for being. LGNZ are nothing other than a drain on ratepayers and probably no wonder that several large councils such as Auckland, Christchurch, Kaipara, West Coast Regional, Grey District, Westland District and Western Bay of Plenty had all withdrawn their membership by March, 2025. Most of these councils quoted failure to provide value for money as the reason for withdrawal from LGNZ. Now contrast that with the West Australia Local Government Association. All 139 West Australian local government entities are members, as well as other allied entities such as Fire Service organisations A full suite of advocacy and advice services are provided as well as employee relations etc, as well as full access to the Preferred Supplier Programme and Procurement. The last one is the big one. WALGA — as a very big entity — negotiates the best deal it can get for all the things all councils "need" to do their job including goods, services and works, insurances, electrical energy, telecommunication, vehicles ... the list of areas of common supply is in the hundreds. Last year WALGA delivered $A380 million ($NZ410m) of such contracts leading to direct and significant savings for ratepayers. WALGA's bulk buying power also included things like "yellow machinery" and specialist vehicles. Insurance alone is huge — the WALGA bulk buys through London, all insurance cover for all councils in Western Australia. Looking at the Central Otago District Council and other councils, they are all complaining that the cost of insurance is one of the major drivers of rate increases — and yet the solution in their hands is not exercised. The current rationale that councils around the Otago region — including CODC, Clutha, Gore and Waitaki — are using to set up yet another bureaucracy to handle water is bulk buying. Imagine for a moment the buying power LGNZ would have it was operating a similar system for pipes and other water infrastructure? But they are too busy talking. • Russell Garbutt is a former deputy chairman of the Vincent Community Board.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
2025 Budget Provides Welcome Relief For Older Ratepayers
Press Release – LGNZ This was always expected to be a tight budget due to the current economic conditions, so were pleased to see the Government has opted to ease the financial pressure on older New Zealanders many of whom are facing a cost-of-living crisis, says … Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says that yesterday's Budget 2025 announcement of changes to the rates rebate scheme is a win for the community – particularly older people struggling to afford rates. 'This was always expected to be a tight budget due to the current economic conditions, so we're pleased to see the Government has opted to ease the financial pressure on older New Zealanders – many of whom are facing a cost-of-living crisis,' says LGNZ acting chief executive Scott Necklen. 'LGNZ has been advocating for the income threshold for rates rebate eligibility to be raised for low-and fixed-income property owners for some time. As a further step we'd like to see the Government investigate options for data sharing between councils, Internal Affairs and MSD to proactively identify households that qualify for a rates rebate, rather than waiting for people to apply. 'But an expanded rebate and new abatement threshold for SuperGold card holders is a great start.' Scott Necklen says that local and central government are in full agreement that rates cannot keep rising at the level they have been, and that many councils need more funding levers to address pressing infrastructure needs. 'Rates are – and will continue to be – councils' main source of income, and play a vital role in councils being able to meet their community's infrastructure needs. 'It's a welcome relief to see the Government implicitly acknowledging that rates rises are inevitable due to the growing pressure on local government, especially in the face of councils' rising insurance costs, inflation and infrastructure needs. 'We acknowledge that Government has already added some tools in our toolkit – such as moving from development contributions to development levies. New tools like this help keep rates at bay. But we need to keep working with the Government on more incentives for councils, so that ratepayers are not disincentivised by housing and wider economic growth,' says Scott Necklen. Scott Necklen also acknowledged several other budget outcomes that will have an effect on local government: Regional Deals: 'While regional deals have been touted by the Government as something that will help unlock funding and resource opportunities to support councils to improve roads, infrastructure and housing in their regions, it's disappointing to see that no funding is available to invest in the initiatives agreed as part of any future deals. If regional deals are to replicate the success of city deals overseas, they will need dedicated government funding.' Transport: 'While it's great to see increased investment in rail and ferry initiatives, we also know there's a real need for widespread investment in our aging transport network. We're disappointed to see some reductions in transport funding. These costs will instead be covered by the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which creates additional pressure on the fund and on the transport network. Without additional tools or further funding, as a country we'll have to make tough choices soon around where we defer maintenance and leave it up to future generations.' Recovery works: 'We're happy to see the Government commit extra funding to complete recovery works on local roads affected by the 2023 North Island weather events, as these communities continue to get back on their feet following widespread damage to their roading infrastructure.' Funding to support local journalism: 'We're pleased to see the Government recognises the key role that local journalism plays in telling local stories, while raising transparency and awareness around community issues. This is particularly important for local elections later this year.' About LGNZ: LGNZ champions, connects and supports local government. We represent the national interest of councils across New Zealand to deliver more of what matters in their communities. LGNZ is involved in policy, reforms, programmes, and advocacy as well as providing advice, consultancy and training to councils and their staff.
