Community boards and the future for local government
As councils reflect on the recommendations in the Future for Local Government report, and as some begin their next representation review, Gavin Beattie, a former...
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Devolution is the next big thing
By Josie Pagani, political strategist and commentator. In a cosy basement bar in Copenhagen, my Danish friend and I were entertaining ourselves after a couple...
Reactions to Local Government Review report
The final Future for Local Government Review report was released this month (June) with 17 recommendations for the Government. Reactions are mixed. It is the...
Give us a local voice in RMA reform, too
By Mayor of Hamilton, Paula Southgate Everyone across the country, and certainly in local government, has focused extensively on the fast-moving, ever-changing arena of reform. ...
Views on revamped three waters reform
Photo: The boundaries of the ten water services entities. By Alan Titchall. A wolf now dressed up as a lamb? Most councils and observers remain...
Responding to serious challenges TOGETHER
By Alan Pollard, Civil Contractors New Zealand, Chief Executive As I reflect on the increasingly challenging situation we find ourselves in – politically, economically, socially,...
Decisions looming on Representation Issues
While new requirements relating to the establishment of Maori wards and constituencies are still awaiting enactment in the Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill, Gavin Beattie,...
Infrastructure – the elephant in the urban intensification room
Since this article was published in the November 202 issue of Local Government magazine, Auckland suffered a major flooding disaster over the city’s anniversary weekend,...
When urban intensification doesn’t work
Caption: Balmoral School playing field turned into a huge lake that spilled into the local suburb flooding housing during the storm over Auckland, January 27,...
Essential public safeguards to democracy
The offices of the Ombudsman and the Controller and Auditor-General are two important independent statutory agencies charged with protecting aspects of the public interest against...