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RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's call for council review backed by LGNZ
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said councils weren't as efficient and effective as they could be. Photo: Brydie Thompson Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has backed Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's call for a review of councils. Drysdale's remit, supported by Tauranga City Council and aimed at increasing efficiency in local government and reducing ratepayer costs, was passed at the national local governance body's annual general meeting last week. The remit received 80 percent support from councils and was ranked the top priority out of the four successful remits. The local government minister also said he was open to exploring opportunities for efficiency . It comes after Drysdale called for "tough" amalgamation conversations between Bay of Plenty councils. He said the remit passing showed everyone was aware that change was happening in local government. "[We] want to be proactive around designing the system that will work for our people and work for us as local government." The remit called for a review of current functions and governance arrangements of councils. Councils weren't as efficient and effective as they could be, he said. The sector needed to look at what services should be delivered nationally, regionally, and locally, then design a system that would best deliver those services, Drysdale said. Having a national IT system for all councils and regional roading networks were some ideas the sector could discuss, he said. When talking about efficiency, people "jump to amalgamation", Drysdale said, but it was only one of the solutions. "It may not be the solution that comes out of it. We've got to keep a really open mind." He said he was not trying to "ram through amalgamation". "The intent of this is getting all the local authorities with LGNZ and central government working together to design a system that works for the country." New Zealand has 78 councils: 11 regional, 11 city, 50 district, and six unitary authorities (regional and city/district combined). Changes to how councils managed water through Local Water Done Well and Resource Management Act (RMA) reform meant the functions of councils were changing, so councils needed to change their form, Drysdale said. LGNZ was in the "perfect position" to co-ordinate the remit, but buy-in was needed from central government and the other councils, he said. Plenty of reviews had been done, but action was needed, Drysdale said. "Let's make sure we've done this thoroughly and we know what the best system is, but then we've actually got to implement it." Local Government Minister Simon Watts. Photo: Alex Burton Local Government Minister Simon Watts said opportunities for efficiency included working alongside the sector. The new legislation that would replace the RMA included provisions about the roles, responsibilities, and processes of local government, he said. This included proposals that differed from the status quo, Watts said. "I am keen to look at how the reorganisation process for local government can be made simpler and expect to receive advice on this." LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said local government needed to be proactive and lead the changes required. "The current sector arrangements are a legacy, and do not always reflect how communities have expanded and how modern services are delivered. "With key government legislation changes now under way, it'll require an agile and well-planned response by the sector," she said in a statement. "It's also important we retain local decision-making in the work we do and the decisions we make, particularly when it comes to the delivery of infrastructure and services for the community." Local Government New Zealand chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene. Photo: Mark Tantrum The LGNZ national council would consider next steps on the remit in the coming months. After the October election, the organisation would engage with councils in a member-driven process, an LGNZ spokesperson said. Outgoing Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder said councils needed to be prepared to question their structure and functions. "The structure of local government hasn't meaningfully changed since 1989. In that time, our communities, demographics, and challenges have changed dramatically," he said in a statement. "We need to be brave enough to question how we deliver services and what functions sit best at which level - national, regional, or local." The remit had the support of metro councils before it was presented to LGNZ. The metro councils would provide support and resources to work on the programme established, the remit said. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tauranga City Council Postpones Decision On Water Services Delivery
Tauranga City Council has postponed its decision to confirm a preferred delivery model for future water services. While Council was expected to make a decision on Monday, it opted instead to leave the report on the table to allow time for further discussions with the community prior to making a decision. The decision comes after Thames Coromandel District Council signalled it wished to progress alongside Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council in a multi-council CCO at the end of April when Tauranga City Council's public consultation had already concluded. Tauranga City Council Mayor, Mahé Drysdale says Council has been very open to working with any Council that provides mutually beneficial outcomes. 'Western Bay of Plenty District Council has always been our preferred partner, but we have had conversations with a number of councils and worked through different scenarios. 'Off the back of that scenario modelling, we now have two councils that we could progress with, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, whom we consulted alongside in April, and more recently Thames Coromandel District Council.' 'The involvement of Thames Coromandel District Council is a relatively recent development and before making a decision, and moving to due diligence, we need to update our community about our potential new partner and ensure the community is fully informed,' Mahé says. 'Although a delay could compress the time required for submitting a Water Services Delivery Plan by 3 September, it is important that we get this right." 'We look forward to continuing to engage with all of our people and appreciate any feedback on how we can make Tauranga better.' A decision on Council's preferred delivery model is now expected on 5 August 2025. If a multi-council CCO was preferred, Council would also need to approve a Commitment Agreement, which would allow councils to work together and undertake a due diligence process that assesses a joint operating model. The establishment of any multi-council CCO would be subject to all parties being satisfied with the outcomes of the due diligence process, and any council could choose to withdraw if it was dissatisfied with its findings. Te Awanui Ward Councillor Hēmi Rolleston says it was appropriate to postpone the decision. 'This is one of the most important decisions this Council will make. Therefore, to leave this decision for a further three weeks is a practical decision, based on feedback from Iwi that they require more time, particularly with the relatively late inclusion of Thames Coromandel District Council.' Community event The Mayor and Councillors will be holding an information and Q&A session with the community about Local Water Done Well on Thursday, 24 July from 5-6pm at the University of Waikato in the Te Manawaroa Room. Free parking will be available from 4.30pm on the day at the council parking building on Spring Street. Notes: Local Water Done Well is the New Zealand government's plan to reform how water services are managed and to tackle the country's significant water infrastructure challenges. During public consultation in April 2025 a total of 726 people provided submissions addressing 'Why wai matters: Local Water Done Well', via council's online submissions form.
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Review Of Local Government Sector Proposed
A proposed review of current local government arrangements is set to be voted on at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 16 July 2025. The proposal is part of a remit submitted by Tauranga City Council, with support from other metropolitan mayors, and is focused on increasing efficiencies across the local government sector and reducing costs for ratepayers. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says that since taking office in August last year, it's become clear that structural inefficiencies exist across the local government sector and with some key central government legislation changes now underway, it's timely that thought be given to how we can do things better. 'In my view, we need a local government system which delivers services and infrastructure more efficiently and effectively, while maintaining democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of communities,' says Mahé. 'There are currently 78 territorial authorities in New Zealand, many of which are in close proximity, that duplicate the infrastructure, people and equipment needed to provide essential services.' Mahé says this is an important issue for local government. 'As the sector responds to the current central government policy and legislation reforms, we need to be proactive and lead the change required. 'I believe it's opportune for LGNZ to work with central government and councils to examine whether our current model is fit-for-purpose now, and for the foreseeable future. 'Local decision-making and community identity remains key, but we need to look at ways to enhance efficiencies by capturing economies of scale and, ultimately, save our ratepayers money. 'It's very clear to me that we need change. We need to embrace it, stop talking and start acting for the benefit of our people.' Mahé says while this work is not currently part of LGNZ's work programme, engaging with local councils and central government will be essential to making progress with such a review. What is a remit? Remits are positions or policies put to a vote by LGNZ's member councils at its AGM, to be prioritised in its future work programme. Any remit needs the support of either an LGNZ zone, sector or any five councils. LGNZ reviews all proposed remits to ensure they meet the required criteria. In today's Tauranga City Council meeting, the Mayor and Councillors voted in support of all remits being put forward to the LGNZ 2025 AGM, to be held on Wednesday at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tauranga City Council Annual Plan Balances Investment With Affordability
Tauranga City Council unanimously adopted its Annual Plan 2025/2026 yesterday – the first for the Council elected in July last year– and one that aims to balance investing in Tauranga's future with affordability. The Annual Plan outlines the organisation's work programme for the next financial year, which gives effect to dozens of new projects across the city. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale believes Council has struck the right balance between ensuring Tauranga continues to invest in the infrastructure the city requires, through a capital investment programme of $503 million, while keeping rates as affordable as it can. 'Our priorities were to achieve a balanced budget which invests in essential infrastructure, while also funding the depreciation on council assets so that they can be modernised or renewed when they reach the end of their useful lives,' says Mahé. 'During this process, we worked hard to identify $38 million worth of savings, resulting in an average rates increase of 9.9% for the year - just over two percent less than the increase we originally consulted on and less than the Long Term Plan 2024-34. 'Underlying every decision was a determination to ensure that all council projects and activities provide quality outcomes and real value for money for the people of Tauranga. That approach will continue throughout 2025/26 and beyond, as we look to deliver on this and future work plans.' Mahé says he and the councillors are very aware that any rates increase will add to the financial pressures many households are experiencing. 'Unfortunately, years of past underinvestment in our infrastructure and community facilities left us with some challenging choices. It is not prudent to keep kicking the can down the road – we need to deliver now to ensure a bright future for our city. 'Our opportunity now is to deliver on one of the biggest capital investment programmes our city has ever taken on, while cementing-in cost savings and continuing to provide the essential services our people need,' Mahé adds. 'While the budget is set, this is just the beginning of the journey. We will continue to look for further savings and ensure that every dollar spent drives real value for the community.' During consultation on the Draft Annual Plan 2025/26 and Local Water Done Well proposal in April, the mayor and councillors held more than 20 community events, received 968 submissions and 68 people spoke to their submissions at hearings. A decision on the preferred delivery model for water services, which was consulted on in parallel with the Annual Plan, is expected to be considered at the Council meeting on 14 July 2025.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Ngā Poutiriao Ō Mauao Renew Commitment To Shared Kaitiakitanga
The Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this month, formalising the ongoing joint administration of the Mauao Historic Reserve. This agreement continues the partnership established in 2013 and updated in 2018, and outlines the roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes of Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao, the joint administration board. 'This agreement is more than a document, it's a living expression of our shared responsibility to care for Mauao,' says Mauao Trust Chair Matemoana McDonald. 'It recognises the mana of iwi as kaitiaki and the importance of working together in good faith.' Under the new MOU, Ngā Poutiriao will continue to co-manage the reserve in accordance with the He Korowai Ariki o Mauao Strategic Plan and the Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan. The board comprises equal representation from the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council, with four members appointed by each party. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the renewed MOU is a testament to the strong relationship between the Trust and Council, and to their shared vision for Mauao. 'Together, we are committed to ensuring this taonga is protected, respected, and celebrated while ensuring public access and community engagement continues.'
