Council relationships with China frequently get bogged down in controversy amid accusations that they fail to deliver tangible benefits to Kiwi communities. In the lead up to the New Zealand China Mayoral Forum in December, Ruth Le Pla looks at progress to date and better ways to build both relationships and business.
When Invercargill...
Dave Cull is LGNZ’s new president. The mayor of Dunedin talks with Ruth Le Pla about his background as handyman, TV presenter and author, and how he handles criticism of local government.
Local Government Magazine: Okay, let’s start with your background: political studies, furniture maker, carpenter, TV presenter, author of books...
Peter McKinlay announces a new resource to generate research and inform debate for the sector.
Hamilton City Council, Masterton and Waipa District Councils and Rotorua Lakes Council are leading the establishment of New Zealand’s first local government-backed think tank. The Local Government Think Tank (LGTT) aims to help New Zealand...
Lawrence Yule has steered the local government sector for the past nine years in his role as president of Local Government New Zealand. On the eve of his departure from the sector, Ruth Le Pla talked with him about local government’s changing role from perceived adversary to advocate and partner. She also asked a number of people about...
Local government forced to settle for small wins.
I was struck recently by a media release from LGNZ that began: “Letting local communities determine whether shops can open on Easter Sunday is a win for local decision-making.” It is not that the passing of the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill, allowing territorial authorities the...
Far North District Council acting CEO Colin Dale was awarded life membership of LGNZ at the organisation’s recent annual conference in Dunedin. He reflects here on Kiwi fair play, instant communities and unfinished business as he looks back on his six decades in the sector.
If there’s one unifying thread to Colin Dale’s 60 years...
Congratulations to all the councils whose entries were selected as winners, highly commended and finalists in the 2016 LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards. Sixty-three applications were received across five categories from a total of 32 councils nationwide. The results were announced at the Fulton Hogan conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards...
The devil is in the detail when it comes to setting up a nationwide local government risk management model. David Robson and Colleen Rigby delve into where current thinking could be leading.
The Christchurch earthquakes of 2011 prompted a shakeup of insurance products and services to New Zealand local government. Existing sector...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has issued details of a new independent standards system that measures the performance of local authorities.
The local government standards system will demonstrate and improve the value and services of councils by measuring qualitative and quantitative indicators across leadership, finance, service...
Author and international thought leader Peter Kageyama offers a fresh perspective on how councils can better engage with communities and create lovable places. He will be a keynote speaker at the LGNZ conference 2016 in July.
What makes cities lovable? And can a lovable city be created consciously and deliberately?
We tend to love...
