From rubbish to rates to dog bylaws, nothing impacts people’s everyday lives as much as local government. The sector is at a time of immense change with the Government telling local authorities they must find a way to merge or have change imposed on them. Regional councils are winding up, councils are forming new water entities as they strive to keep rates rises affordable while facing high inflation and infrastructure cost blowouts, such as Auckland’s City Rail Link.
All this means it is a fascinating time for me to embark on this role, but also a challenge to cover all the issues with the thoroughness they deserve. I know I can’t do it without the help of our insightful contributors and the feedback from you, our valued readers.
I witnessed Auckland’s lengthy transition to a Super City, so wonder how councils will be able to decide how to amalgamate with their neighbours in just three months. But as Alison and Karen from Morrison Low Advisory point out on pages 26-27, we are just at the beginning of the process. In our cover story, Mike Manson from ALGIM explains how the ability to connect, learn and work together to benefit our communities will determine how well councils navigate what comes next.
Also in this issue, on page 5, Nick Leggett from Infrastructure New Zealand explains how this reform could show us how to work smarter, not harder, but in our Last Word on page 42, Elizabeth Hughes ponders whether communities will genuinely be invited into the conversation.
Also on reform, Deon Swiggs from Canterbury Regional Council says regional councils have a critical role to play so we don’t lose sight of what must endure in the new structures on pages 38-39.
Following significant Budget 2026 infrastructure announcements, Caroline Boot from Clever Buying delves into the importance of procurement decisions to bring proposed development to life on pages 24-25.
On the recent antics of a small number of councillors, Andy Asquith from Monash University outlines seven principles designed to guide the roles and actions of anyone holding public office on pages 28-29.
We also cover legal issues relevant to the sector: what councils can and can’t do when it comes to licensing roads on page 30, and the climate litigation councils may face on page 31.
Health is also discussed in a column on pages 40 to 41 by outgoing Editorial Manager Alan Titchall who writes about his cancer journey and the importance of early detection.
Many thanks to Alan for patiently showing me the ropes, for his great work highlighting and analysing the issues facing local government, and for more than 19 years of service to this company. Thank you also to our very capable designer Grace Wang for her help and guidance, to our sales representative Charles Fairbairn for his boundless positivity, and to our General Manager David Penny for steering this ship with such a steady hand. We will endeavour to continue producing a relevant and informative magazine for this sector. Please get in touch if you would like to contribute a column or suggest a topic.
Natasha Jojoa Burling
Editorial Manager