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THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18
NEW ZEALAND
SUMMARY
New Zealand has two levels of government, national and local, which are politically,
financially and administratively independent of one another. New Zealand has no
written constitution and the general powers of local government are defined in the
Local Government Act 2002. The minister of local government is responsible for local
government’s core legislation, although s/he holds no oversight role except in situations
where a council may have failed to discharge its statutory duties. Local government in
New Zealand has two types. Regional councils, of which there are 9, are responsible for
environmental management policy and regulations with regard to water, air and the
coastline. Territorial authorities, of which there are 67 (13 city councils and 54 district
councils) deliver a wide range of local services including potable water, sewerage, libraries,
parks, recreation, cultural and community facilities, town planning and economic
development. Six territorial councils also have responsibility for regional council functions
and are known as unitary councils. These include both cities and districts. Almost 60% of
operational revenue comes from property tax. Councils are required to take account of
community diversity, the interests of the indigenous Māori population and the interests
of both current and future generations, when making decisions.
1. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT This general empowerment
Area of detail New Zealand is a constitutional fundamentally changed the basis on
monarchy with a unitary parliament.29.1a which local authorities in New Zealand
Based in the capital Wellington, the operate. Previously they could only
KEY FACTS undertake activities permitted by law.
parliament comprises 120 members;
however numbers can vary slightly Now local authorities are empowered
POPULATION (2016 estimate): should a party gain more seats than to undertake what is necessary to
4,692,700 its relative share of the vote. Members achieve their purpose, subject only to
are elected every three years by other legislation, the general law and
AREA (UN 2006): the accountability processes set out
universal suffrage on a mixed-member,
270,467 sq km in the Act. Prior to the LGA 2002 local
proportional system of representation
CAPITAL: in which voters elect constituency MPs government reform in 1989 reduced
Wellington and vote for party lists. Following the the number of local authorities from
2017 national election, 38.3% (46/120) of more than 850 to 86. This number
CURRENCY: elected representatives.29.1b The head of has since been further reduced to 78.
New Zealand dollar (NZD) government is the prime minister and is Local government’s authority to set
generally the leader of the party with the property taxes is outlined in the Local
HEAD OF STATE:
largest number of seats. Government (Rating) Act 2002, while
HM Queen Elizabeth II
the legislation governing the local
GOVERNOR-GENERAL: 2. LEGAL BASIS FOR electoral process is the Local Electoral
Dame Patsy Reddy LOCAL GOVERNMENT Act 2001. Another significant piece of
legislation is the Resource Management
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: 2.1 Constitutional provisions
Act 1991 (RMA 1991), which promotes the
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern New Zealand has no written constitution.
sustainable management of natural and
Local government is a creature of statute
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: physical resources. A key feature of this
with the first Municipal Corporations
constitutional monarchy Act is the extent to which responsibilities
Act having been passed by the country’s
and powers for resource management
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: then Legislative Council in 1842.
are devolved to local and regional
unicameral authorities. Recent changes to the RMA
2.2 Main legislative texts 1991 have given government ministers
STATE STRUCTURE:
Local government’s purpose is currently increased intervention powers. The
unitary
defined in Section 10 of the Local Local Government Official Information
LANGUAGES: Government Act 2002 (‘LGA 2002’)29.2a, and Meetings Act 1987 ensures that
English, Māori and sign language (official) which gives the following dual purpose the public has access to local authority
for local government: ‘to enable information and meetings. Information
NATIONAL ELECTIONS: democratic decision-making and action can only be withheld from public
last: Sept 2017, turnout: 78.8%; next: 2020 by, and on behalf of, communities and request for commercial reasons or
WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT (2017): to meet the current and future needs personal sensitivity. All meetings must
38.3% of communities for good-quality local be advertised in advance and open to
infrastructure, local public services and the public unless a council resolves to
LOCAL ELECTIONS: performance of regulatory functions go into public-excluded session, which
last: Oct 2016, turnout: 43%; next: 2019 in a way that is most cost-effective for can only be justified on the basis of
households and businesses’. It also commercial or personal sensitivity. In
WOMEN COUNCILLORS (2016):
provides local authorities with full rights, addition to recent changes to the RMA
32.5%
powers and privileges. Section 12 of the 1991, the LGA 2002 has been subject to
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE LGA 2002 gives councils full capacity considerable change over recent years.
as a percentage of total government to undertake any activity or business in
expenditure 2015/16: order to achieve their purpose.
9.8%
152 www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealandCOUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand
These changes have increased the consulted on a proposal to enable managing their effects; meeting a range
powers of the Local Government Urban Development Authorities to be of demands for housing and business
Minister to intervene in cases where created to fast-track housing and urban land; understanding and enabling a
a local authority is experiencing a redevelopment projects. If progressed, competitive land and development
problem, required councils to adopt this would require new legislation that market; improving the alignment between
30 year infrastructure strategies and would have significant interactions with land use planning and infrastructure;
sought to strengthen the role of mayors. the Resource Management Act. and, fostering cooperative roles and
The government recently passed the relationships between councils. There
Resource Legislation Amendment 2.4 National urban policy is also the 2005 Urban Design Protocol,
Act 2017, which makes a number of New Zealand does not have a single which is a voluntary commitment by
significant changes to the Resource ’national urban policy’ which articulates public and private organisations to make
Management Act and related pieces its full vision for urban areas in the New Zealand’s towns and cities more
of legislation, with the objective of country, however there are a number successful through quality urban design
supporting more effective environmental of key relevant initiatives. These include initiatives. Additionally there is a proposed
management and driving capacity for the National Policy Statement on Urban national direction on managing significant
development and economic growth. Development Capacity29.2b (NPS-UDC), risks from natural hazards and the New
which was adopted in November 2016, Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010,
2.3 Proposed legislative changes and is a significant legislative tool which which provides further direction on
Prior to the 2017 election, the National requires local authorities to provide, planning for development in the coastal
Party indicated that, if it was re-elected, in their land use planning decisions, zone. There is also new ability to create
it would introduce urban planning sufficient capacity for housing and National Planning Standards to improve
laws that would be separate from business development to meet demand consistency in plan and policy statement
the Resource Management Act to in the short, medium and long terms. structure, format and content so they are
speed up development of urban areas. The NPS-UDC has five themes: enabling easier to prepare, understand, compare
The Government has also publicly urban growth and development while and comply with.
Table 29.1a Distribution of councils and population
Territorial authorities*
Region Regional Unitary Population Population % rural
councils City/metro District/ Island councils Census 2013 2016 (est.) 2013
councils councils All
North Island
Northland Region 1 – 3 3 – 155,805 171,400 49.0
Auckland City Region 1 – 1 1 1,438,446 1,614,400 3.9
Waikato Region 1 1 9 10 – 413,202 449200 22.2
Bay of Plenty Region 1 1 5 6 – 273,360 293,500 18.5
Gisborne Region – 1 1 1 43,938 47,800 25.6
Hawke’s Bay Region 1 1 3 4 – 156,018 161,500 12.5
Taranaki Region 1 – 3 3 – 110,079 116,700 22.6
Manawatu-Wanganui Region 1 1 6 7 – 225,411 236,900 18.8
Wellington Region 1 4 4 8 – 478,290 504,800 3.6
Total North Island 7 9 34 43 2 3,294,549 3,596,200 11.8
South Island
Tasman Region – 1 1 1 51,258 50,200 40.1
Nelson City Region 1 – 1 1 48,444 50,600 1.9
Marlborough Region – 1 1 1 46,302 45,500 23.1
West Coast Region 1 – 3 3 – 36,294 32,500 43.3
Canterbury Region 1 9 10 – 554,919 599,900 16.7
Otago Region 1 1 3 4 – 223,017 219,200 20.3
Southland Region 1 2 3 – 97,821 98,000 30.2
Total South Island 2 4 19 23 3 1,058,055 1,095,900 20.4
Area outside regions – 1 1 1 600 610 n/a
(Chatham Islands)
Total New Zealand 9 13 54 67 6 4,353,198 4,692,700 13.7
Source: DIA communication with CLGF and 2013 Census29.3a LGNZ 201729.3b *Territorial authorities are not sub-divisions of regions. For the purposes
of this table, a territorial authority whose area spans more than one region is listed under the region containing the largest proportion of its area.
www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealand 153THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18
3. STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT However, they are required, as far as 4. ELECTIONS
3.1 Local government within the state is practicable, to separate out their 4.1 Recent local elections
National and local government in regulatory functions, so in most cases These were held in 2016 with a total
New Zealand are independent of one a council will establish a committee turnout of 43%, slightly higher than the
another politically, financially and specifically to handle its regulatory turnout for 2013 which was 41.3% and
administratively. responsibilities. Councils will normally down from 49.0% in 2010.29.4a The next
establish Audit and Risk Committees. elections will be held in 2019.
A new model of local government was
3.2 Ministerial oversight introduced with the creation of Auckland
The minister of local government, Council in November 2010. Auckland 4.2 Voting system
supported by the Department of Council, an amalgamation of eight local The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives local
Internal Affairs,29.3c is responsible for authorities29.3d, has a number of unique authorities the choice of conducting
local government’s core legislation. The features such as a more powerful mayor, their triennial elections using either
minister has a number of oversight roles 21 local boards responsible for sub- the first-past-the-post or the single
including in situations where a council metropolitan issues and the creation of transferable vote (STV) electoral system.
has significant or persistent organisational arm’s-length entities (known as council- For the 2004 elections, ten councils used
weaknesses which have resulted in a controlled organisations or CCOs) to STV for the first time, though this had
failure either to perform its statutory operate transport and roading, water and reduced to five in the 2007 elections.
duties or execute its functions efficiently, wastewater, economic development and In 2016 eight councils used STV with
or where there have been irregularities tourism, and a number of other functions. another two councils choosing to adopt
in the decision-making process. STV for the 2019 elections, which will
Previously, in such a case, an inquiry bring the number up to 10. Councils have
3.3.1 Regional councils are responsible
could be instigated and if necessary a the option of running elections by either
for setting environmental policy and
commissioner appointed to replace the postal voting or booth voting. In every
regulations with regard to water, air
council. This has only occurred twice in election since 1992 all councils have used
and the coastline. Regional councils’
the last 50 years.29.3d A change to the LGA postal voting. This system has been seen
boundaries are designed to reflect water
2002 in 2012 gave the minister of local to result in substantially higher voter
catchment areas. Some regions have
government a range of new powers to participation, which has recently been
responsibilities in public transport, bulk
intervene in a local authority if there was around 50%; however, there has been
water, regional parks and regional stadia.
evidence of a significant problem. This a gradual decline in turnout since 2001
Regional councils are responsible for
was used in 2013 to appoint a Crown (but with an increase in 2010).
territory up to the 12-mile limit out to sea.
manager to Christchurch City Council
to address problems associated with Voters must be 18 years of age or over,
the council’s loss of accreditation as a 3.3.2 Territorial authorities consist of on the parliamentary electoral roll and
building consent authority. In 2012 the city (urban) and district (mostly rural) resident at their address for one month
Government appointed commissioners councils that deliver a wide range of to qualify as a resident elector. Ratepayer
to operate the Kaipara District Council local services including potable water, electors qualify by owning property in
after councillors voluntarily stepped down sewerage, libraries, parks, recreation, a region or district in which they are
in the face of significant governance and cultural and community facilities, town not resident, or by being nominated
financial issues - the council returned to planning and economic development by a corporate body. No individual can
democracy in October 2016. as well as an extensive range of local exercise a vote in the same election
regulatory functions. as both a resident and (non-resident)
ratepayer elector. However, a ratepayer
3.3 Council types
3.3.3 Unitary councils are territorial who lives in one local authority and owns
In the New Zealand local government
authorities which also have regional a property in another may vote in both.
system there is only one level, although
council powers. The government has agreed in principle
within that level there are two types of
to the introduction of an online voting
local authorities. There are 78 authorities
but this is yet to be trialed.29.4b
made up of 11 regional councils and 67 3.3.4 Community boards have been
territorial authorities. The 67 territorial formed in more than 40 territorial and
The independent Local Government
authorities consist of 13 cities – including unitary councils. These are sub-municipal
Commission (LGC)29.4c, in addition to its
Auckland metropolitan region – and 54 bodies which are elected but may also
role in local government reorganisation,
districts, including the Chatham Islands contain appointed councillors and are
acts as a review tribunal to ensure
council. Also included are six unitary given a range of responsibilities for local
fair and effective representation
councils, two of which are cities and four of and neighbourhood matters. Auckland
for individuals and communities.
which are districts, established according City contains 21 local boards, which
Councils are required to review their
to their size and degree of urbanisation are similar to community boards but
representation arrangements at least
(see Table 1a). Recent legislative changes have no appointed members and have
once every six years and citizens can
have enhanced the transparency and a broader range of statutory decision-
appeal to the LGC if they believe the
accountability requirements of local making powers.
outcome of a council’s representation
authorities, established distinct roles
review fails to deliver reasonable and
for territorial authorities and regional 3.3.5 Local boards, currently only equal opportunities for voters and
councils – especially in the area of resource found in Auckland but expected to be candidates. In ruling on an appeal
management responsibilities – introduced in future reorganisation or objection the LGC’s decisions are
and have introduced the option schemes elsewhere in New Zealand, are final. It plays an important role in
of community boards to enhance similar to community boards but are ensuring public confidence in the
participation in territorial authority districts. given a broader range of service delivery electoral processes. Local elections
There are no statutory committees which responsibilities and much stronger are decentralised and are run by local
councils are required to set up. planning and funding roles. electoral officers employed by councils.
154 www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealandCOUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand
4.3 Elected representatives 4.4 Women’s representation process and on specific policy issues. The
The number of councillors each authority Following the 2016 elections the LGA 2002 created a broad requirement
may have is specified in the Local proportion of female elected members to consider community views in the
Electoral Act 2001. Both regional and reached its highest ever level of 31.8%, decision-making process as well as to
territorial councils must have a minimum up from 25% in 1989. Increases in female consult on the development of annual
of six councillors, with upper limits of 18 representation by type of council were: plans and long-term council community
for regional councils and 30, including in regional authorities 24.2% up from plans. Section 82 contains six consultation
a separately elected mayor, for territorial 21%; district councils 32.5% up from 30%; principles, including: ‘that persons who
councils. The average size of a governing and city councils 33.9%, up from 33%. will, or may be, affected by, or have an
body is 11, including the mayor or chair. Community and local boards had the interest in, the decision or matter should
Only New Zealand citizens who qualify as highest proportion of female elected be provided by the local authority with
electors are eligible to stand for council, members. reasonable access to relevant information
however anyone who is a permanent in a manner and format that is appropriate
resident can vote. The term of office for all 5. SYSTEMS FOR to the preferences and needs of those
councillors and mayors is three years. A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT persons’ and ‘that the views presented to
councillor or mayor cannot be a member the local authority should be received by
5.1 Legal requirement
of both a regional council and a territorial the local authority with an open mind and
Local authorities have a legal duty to
authority or community board in the should be given by the local authority, in
consult their communities and this occurs
same region at the same time. making a decision, due consideration’. All
both as part of the community planning
local authorities also have an obligation to
Table 29.1b Number of women councillors and mayors following the last two elections consult directly with their communities
on their district plans and regional policy
2013 2016 statements prepared under the Resource
All councillors # % # %
Management Act 1991. It is common for
legislation empowering local government
All female councillors na na 269 32.5 or devolving responsibilities to local
government to include provisions that
All male councillors na na 558 67.5 mandate public involvement in decision-
making. For example, under the Resource
Total councillors na 100.0 827 100.0
Management Act 1991 requirement
Regional authority (RA) councillors # % # % for councils to develop district and
regional environmental management
Female RA councillors na 21 29 24.2 plans, councils must publish draft plans
and provide opportunities for public
Male RA councillors na na 91 75.8 feedback. Similarly, under the land
transport legislation councils must publish
Total RA councillors na 100.0 120 100.0
draft transport strategies and provide
District authority (DA) councillors # % # % opportunities for feedback. Councils
must produce a ten-year long-term plan
Female DA councillors na na 183 34.0 (LTP) which must be revised every three
years. Councils are required to provide
Male DA councillors na na 356 66.0 opportunities for the indigenous Māori
Total DA councillors na 100.0 539 100.0 people to contribute to decision-making
processes and consider ways of fostering
City councillors # % # % the capacity of Māori people to participate.
The LGA 2002 also requires councils to
Female city councillors na na 57 33.9 take account of community diversity and
the interests of both current and future
Male city councillors na na 111 66.1
generations when making decisions.
Total city councillors na 100.0 168 100.0
5.2 Implementation
All mayors # % # % Territorial authorities may have directly
elected community boards within their
All female mayors na na 13 19.4
district which represent and advocate
Male mayors na na 54 80.6 for the interests of their community,
maintain an overview of services provided
Total mayors na 100.0 67 100.0 by the territorial authority and undertake
responsibilities delegated by the territorial
District mayors # % # %
authority. Boards comprise between
District female mayors na na 11 20.4 four and 12 members, must include at
least four elected members, and may
District male mayors na na 43 79.6 include members appointed by the
parent territorial authority. There are
Total district mayors na 100.0 54 100.0 108 community boards in more than 45
councils. The design of Auckland Council
City mayors # % # %
is based on the principle of co-governance
Female city mayors na na 2 15.4 and decision making is divided between
a metropolitan governing body of 21
Male city mayors na na 11 84.6 (including the Mayor), and 21 local boards,
which are responsible for a broad range of
Total city mayors na 100.0 13 100.0
local services, such as parks and libraries.
Source: DIA communication with CLGF: Local Authority Election Statistics 2016 & UNDP/CLGF 2010
www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealand 155THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18
5.3 ICT use in citizen engagement Regular meetings occur throughout ■■ the Parliamentary Commissioner for
The Department of Internal Affairs the year between various departmental the Environment, who investigates
has also established a ‘local councils’ and local government officials such as the effectiveness of environmental
website which provides information mayors, and it is common, although planning and management
about how the New Zealand system of not formally required, for departments ■■ the Office of the Ombudsman,
local government works; it also outlines to consult with local government which deals with appeals relating to
how people can get involved in local representatives when undertaking policy official information under the Local
government, gives a statistical overview reviews and drafting new legislation. The Government Official Information and
of local government in New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs plays a Meetings Act
and provides a financial and statistical critical role in promoting relationships ■■ the Environment Court, which deals
profile for each local authority area. In between government departments with appeals about the contents of
addition, all local authorities have their and councils and works to align and regional and district statements and
own websites. coordinate department and local plans, as well as appeals arising out of
government interaction. applications for resource consents.
6. ORGANISED LOCAL GOVERNMENT
6.1 National local government association 8. MONITORING SYSTEMS
9. FINANCE, STAFFING AND RESOURCES
Local Government New Zealand29.6a Financial oversight is provided by the
9.1 Local government expenditure
(LGNZ) represents the national interests Office of the Auditor General29.8, which
audits councils’ long-term plans and In the 2015/16 financial year, local
of councils of New Zealand by providing
annual reports to ensure the suitability government expenditure was 9.8%
policy advice and training to councils
of forecasting assumptions and the of total government expenditure, a
and advocating on their behalf.
quality of performance information as reduction of 0.9% over the previous
Membership is voluntary but all 78 local
well as the prudent use of resources. financial year (See Table 29.2b.)
authorities are currently members.
Some government departments, such
as the Ministry for the Environment, 9.2 Locally raised revenue
6.2 Other associations of local government monitor councils’ compliance with Currently all councils have the freedom
The New Zealand Society of Local respect to devolved functions such as to raise their own finances without
Government Managers29.6b (SOLGM) is issuing resource consents or regulatory externally imposed caps or limits overall.
local government’s national professional inspections. In 2010 the government
management organisation of senior required councils to use common
local authority officers. SOLGM is 9.3 Transfers
performance measures for their major
committed to building capability and infrastructural activities, such as roads The only transfer from national to local
promoting excellence among local and the three waters and in 2012 government is a proportion of the taxes
government managers and staff through prudent financial benchmarks were and charges raised on petrol, diesel and
membership services, professional introduced. The Local Government vehicle registration, which is allocated to
development and training, good and Environment Select Committee local government for the maintenance
practice resources and influencing policy considers draft legislation affecting local and development of local roads.
development and implementation. government and both the Office of the Historically that figure has been around
Auditor General and the ombudsman 50% of the total road maintenance
7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS can investigate council decision-making budget; however recently a greater share
Communication between local in response to complaints. Councils are has gone to the development of the
government and national government also subject to judicial review; however, national highway network. It is worth
departments is multi-faceted. At a no bodies can override a legally made noting, however, that local government
formal level LGNZ holds an annual council decision. Other scrutinising does not consider this a transfer as 90%
meeting with the prime minister and bodies include: of the nation’s roads are owned by local
relevant members of the cabinet at authorities. The formula for allocation to
which high-level policy issues and future ■■ the Local Government Commission, councils takes into account the capital
directions are discussed. There is also an which has responsibilities relating to value of property in districts plus their
annual National Government and Local reorganisation and representation, road-building plans and public transport
Government Forum held each spring. including the hearing of objections investment programmes.
In addition the president of LGNZ holds and appeals
bilateral meetings on a regular basis
with both the prime minister and the
minister of local government. Meetings Table 29.2a Summary of consolidated local government budgets 2015/16
are held with other ministers and their
departments on an issue-by-issue basis Income NZ$m Expenditure NZ$m
as required. The NZ government does Centre - local transfers Recurrent costs
not have provincial offices (except for
a nascent presence in Auckland, the All transfers 1,029 Employee costs 2,057
country’s largest city) so individual
councils will travel to Wellington, the Own source revenue Interest expenditure 693
capital, or liaise through LGNZ. The
Rates 5,317 Depreciation and amortisation 1,935
nature of the bilateral relationships will
vary across policy areas. For example, as Regulatory income and petrol tax 580 Grants, subsidies, and donations 1,072
local authorities undertake a wide range
of environmental policy and regulation Interest, dividend & investment 1,081 Purchases and other operating expenses 3,523
roles there is ongoing interaction
with the minister and Ministry for the Sales and other operating income 1,396
Environment29.7 and an annual meeting
Total 8,865 Total expenditure 9,280
is held between the ministry and council
chief executives. Source: Local Councils Revenue and Expenditure29.9a
156 www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealandCOUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand
9.4 Loans 10. DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICE resources). Territorial authorities have
Since 2010 the government has required DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY a role in controlling the provision of
councils to establish annual fiscal limits 10.1 Overview of local government gambling in their communities. In recent
for themselves in consultation with service delivery responsibility years, they have been given powers
citizens. Councils are able to exceed these Regional councils and territorial to regulate the location of brothels
limits, but have to explain the reasons authorities have traditionally worked and enhanced powers to control the
why. Legislation requires councils to as two spheres of local government location and opening hours of liquor
balance their budgets on an accrual basis with different jurisdictions and little outlets, following community concern
and to make provision for depreciation. overlap. The key principle traditionally at the relatively unregulated spread of
Local governments can borrow from the underpinning the division between such outlets. As a result of the way the
domestic financial market. Other than regional councils and territorial authorities boundaries of regional councils have
Auckland Council, local government has been the separation of planning and been drawn, several districts straddle
cannot borrow in overseas currencies. service delivery responsibilities. regional council borders. Territorial
The Local Government Funding Agency is authorities may delegate responsibilities
jointly owned by a group of councils and in the same manner as regional councils.
10.1.1 Regional councils are primarily
the Government.
responsible for resource management
(integrated management of the natural 10.2 ICT use in service delivery
9.5 Local authority staff and physical resources of the region); The New Zealand government has been
Councils pay for their own staff, of which biosecurity; river and catchment developing an e-government strategy
there are around 29,000. The only local management including flood control; to increase online access to information,
authority officer required by law is a harbour navigation and safety; products and services, to enhance
chief executive, who is appointed for marine pollution; regional emergency citizen participation, and to develop
a maximum fixed term of five years management and civil defence; and e-business initiatives. The government
with a right of renewal for a further regional land transport planning. In website provides a portal for access to
two years subject to completion of a keeping with their prime environmental national government and local authority
satisfactory performance review. Other and physical resource management services.29.10b The services and information
local government staff are recruited function, the regional councils’ boundaries offered vary between local authorities.
by the chief executive on behalf of have, as far as possible, been drawn along
the local authority and s/he also has river catchments. Regional councils have 10.3 The role of local government
powers to discipline and dismiss staff. generally had no direct service delivery in achieving the UN Sustainable
Each authority is free to determine functions, except for Auckland and Development Goals (SDGs)
its own staffing structure. However, Wellington regions, which inherited some The government has acknowledged
it is typical to have a chief executive regional service delivery functions when that achieving the SDGs will require
with a management team comprising they were established in 1989. These a cross-government effort.29.10b
managers in areas such as planning include bulk water supply in Wellington Government agencies are reviewing
and policy, service delivery, finance, and the administration of regional parks in the goals and their alignment with
asset management and corporate both Auckland and Wellington. Regional existing government priorities. This
affairs. Since 2001 the Remuneration councils are led by a chairperson elected analysis will inform a discussion on
Authority, an independent national indirectly by the council for a three-year how New Zealand focuses its efforts.
government statutory body, rather than term. Regional councils may delegate At a UN meeting on implementation
the minister of local government, has responsibilities – such as the power to set of the SDGs 21 July 2016. The minister
determined elected member salaries rates29.10a, make by-laws, borrow money, for climate change identified those
and allowances, based on statutorily appoint a chief executive or adopt plans issues that are of greatest importance
prescribed criteria. In the larger areas, – to committees or other structures, with to New Zealanders, and where the
the workload is such that mayors and certain exceptions. New Zealand government is focusing
regional council chairpersons are its work. These include: growing the
generally full-time. It is not unusual for 10.1.2 Territorial authorities provide economy, improving living standards,
councillors also to be near full-time in services directly or indirectly to the health and education, creating jobs,
some of the larger authorities. In smaller community. The city and district increasing the supply of affordable
rural authorities the workload and councils are responsible for community housing, encouraging women in
remuneration levels are less and result in wellbeing. This has traditionally covered leadership, keeping communities safe,
a less than full-time presence by elected activities and services such as public and protecting the environment. The
members. health and safety, infrastructure, private sector and civil society can also
recreation and culture, and resource help reach the goals. Already a number
management (control of the effects of of NGOs and businesses are considering
use, development or protection of land how their work helps, and are engaging
and associated physical and natural productively with government agencies.
Table 29.2b Local government expenditure as a percentage of total government expenditure 2008–2016
2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
actual actual actual actual actual actual actual estimated
NZ$m NZ$ NZ$m NZ$m NZ$m NZ$m NZ$n NZ$m
Total government expenditure 66,657 69,711 86,981 75,616 76,994 78,602 80,821 90,918
Total local government expenditure 6,923 7,213 7,918 8,250 8,004 8,169 8,672 8,961
Local government expenditure
10.4% 10.3% 9.1% 10.9% 10.4% 10.4% 10.7% 9.8
as a percentage of total government expenditure
Source: New Zealand Government Finance Statistics Local Government 201629.9b
www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealand 157THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18
REFERENCES AND USEFUL WEBSITES 29.3d Royal Commission on Auckland 29.9b Based on the figure of NZ$8.7bn
29.1a National government portal Governance www.dia.govt.nz/ for total local government
www.newzealand.govt.nz Decommissioned-websites--- expenditure for 2014/15 and
29.1b Women in national parliaments. Royal-Commission-on-Auckland- NZ$80.8bn for total government
Inter-Parliamentary Union Governance expenditure. Note that the
www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm 29.4a Elections New Zealand treasury has since ended the
www.elections.org.nz publication of Finance Statistics
29.2a Local Government Act 2002
29.4b The Department of Internal for Local Government after
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/
Affairs; Online Voting 2015. New Zealand Government
public/2002/0084/latest/versions.aspx
www.dia.govt.nz/online-voting Finance Statistics - Local
29.2b National policy statement on
Government 2016 www.stats.govt.
urban development capacity 29.4c Local Government Commission
nz/browse_for_stats/government_
www.mfe.govt.nz/more/towns- www.lgc.govt.nz
finance/general-government/
and-cities/national-policy- 29.4d Local Authority Election Statistics
GovernmentFinanceStatistics
statement-urban-development- 2016 www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.
GeneralGovernment_
capacity nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Local-
HOTPYeJun16.aspx
29.3a Statistics New Zealand Elections-Local-Authority-
29.9c New Zealand Government
www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013- Election-Statistics-2016
Finance Statistics Central
census/data-tables/population- 29.4e UNDP/ CLGF 2010 Women’s
Government 2015 www.stats.govt.
dwelling-tables.aspx representation in local
nz/browse_for_stats/government_
29.3b LGNZ New Zealands councils government in Asia Pacific: Status
finance/central_government/
www.lgnz.co.nz/nzs-local- report 2010/12 www.clgf.org.uk/
GovernmentFinanceStatistics
government/new-zealands-councils default/assets/File/Publications/
CentralGovernment_
29.3c Department of Internal Affairs reports/Womens_Representation_
HOTPYeJun15.aspx
www.dia.govt.nz in_Local_Govt_in_Asia_
29.10a Local Councils New Zealand
PacificUNDP_CLGF2010.pdf
29.3d In 2000 Rodney District www.localcouncils.govt.nz
Council was deemed to be 29.5 No reference for this section
29.10b New Zealand Foreign Affairs
dysfunctional and was replaced 29.6a Local Government New Zealand
and Trade – the Sustainable
by a commissioner appointed by www.lgnz.co.nz
Development Goals
the minister, and in 2012 when 29.6b New Zealand Society of Local www.mfat.govt.nz/en/peace-
commissioners, at the invitation Government Managers www. rights-and-security/work-with-
of councillors, were appointed solgm.org.nz the-un-and-other-partners/
to the Kaipara District Council to 29.7 Ministry for the Environment new-zealand-and-the-sustainable-
address significant governance www.mfe.govt.nz development-goals-sdgs/#nz
and financial challenges 29.8 Office of the Auditor General: 29.11 UN statistics surface area
facing the council. In 2010 Local Government www.oag.govt. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/
the government also enacted nz/about-us/our-structure/local- demographic/products/dyb/
special legislation to remove government dyb2006/Table03.pdf
the elected members of the
29.9a Local council revenue 29.12 UNDP HDR New Zealand country
Canterbury Regional Council and
www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip. profile http://hdr.undp.org/en/
replace them with appointed
nsf/wpg_popup/Profiles-Local- countries/profiles/NZL
commissioners. The government
Government-Statistical-Overview-
introduced a a transitional
Operating-Revenue
model, involving both appointed
Local council expenditure:
and elected members, for the
www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.
2016 local authority elections in
nsf/wpg_popup/Profiles-Local-
Canterbury before fully returning
Government-Statistical-Overview-
the council to democracy in 2019.
Operating-Expenditure
158 www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealandCOUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN new zealand
Annex 29a Summary of service provision in different spheres of government in New Zealand
Delivering authority
Services National Regional Territorial Remarks
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Police n
Fire protection n n
Civil protection n Territorial councils have a role in rural fire
protection
Criminal justice n
Local authorities have civil defence
Civil status register n responsibilities
Statistical office n
Electoral register n
EDUCATION
Pre-school (kindergarten and nursery) n
Primary n
Secondary n
Vocational and technical n
Higher education n
Adult education n
SOCIAL WELFARE
Family welfare services n Territorial councils have a discretionary role
in community development, support for
Welfare homes n
community agencies, commercial information
Social security n etc
PUBLIC HEALTH
Primary care n
Territorial councils are responsible for
Hospitals n inspections of water quality at commercial
premises, egress, noise etc
Health protection n n
HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING
Housing n n
Town planning n
Regional planning n
TRANSPORT
Roads n n
Transport n n n
Urban roads n National government is responsible
for national highways, which represent
Urban rail n n approximately 13% of the road network
Ports n n
Airports n n
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SANITATION
Water and sanitation n
Refuse collection and disposal n
Cemeteries and crematoria n Slaughter-houses are provided only by the
Slaughter-houses private sector
Environmental protection n n n
Consumer protection n
CULTURE, LEISURE AND SPORTS
Theatre and concerts n
Museums and libraries n
The Auckland and Wellington regional
Parks and open spaces n n
councils have parks responsibility
Sports and leisure n
Religious facilities
UTILITIES
Gas services
District heating Some local authorities have shares in
Water supply n electricity companies
Electricity
ECONOMIC
Agriculture, forests and fisheries n
Local economic development/promotion n Although not involved in agriculture or
fisheries, some local authorities have forestry
Trade and industry n interests for investment purposes
Tourism n n
n sole responsibility service n joint responsibility service n discretionary service
www.clgf.org.uk/new_zealand 159You can also read
