By Daniel Kübler, professor at the Department of Political Science and co-director of the Centre of Democracy Studies of the University of Zurich.
It was with great interest that I read the article Localism – the Swiss Way: Why New Zealand needs more, yes more, councils in the November edition of NZ Local Government Magazine,...
Nowhere, in recent times, has it been more clear that something – okay lots of things – has got to give if local authorities are to stand any chance of helping resolve some of our country's most pressing problems. The call for change at Infrastructure New Zealand's recent Building Nations Symposium in Wellington was loud and clear....
Good chemistry, frequent communication and helping a new mayor get to grips with the practicalities of their new role go a long way towards creating a strong working relationship between mayor and chief executive. But how much can they smooth troubled waters if a new mayor or councillor actively campaigned against the CE or their staff?...
As debate continues to hot up around who “owns”, controls and manages New Zealand’s natural resources, the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has released a new report examining effective approaches to shared governance.
Principles for co-governing natural resources outlines topline thinking behind some of the best ways to...
Manawatu District Council CE Lorraine Vincent says local government faces future challenges with its governance composition and asks whether there should be a mixture of appointed and elected people. “Is there ever going to be debate in the sector around that?”
She calls for more courage in the local government sector saying there...
Are councils willing or able to change the governance relationships they have with their communities? Thames-Coromandel District Council chief executive David Hammond looks at models to respond to increasing demands to devolve power to local citizens.
The historic settlement of Coroglen, known as Gumtown during its kauri milling days,...
