THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN 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 , 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 , the operate. Previously they could only KEY FACTS parliament comprises 120 members; undertake activities permitted by law. 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): universal suffrage on a mixed-member, the accountability processes set out 270,467 sq km proportional system of representation in the Act. Prior to the LGA 2002 local 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. (NZD) government is the prime minister and is Local government’s authority to set property taxes is outlined in the Local : generally the leader of the party with the Government (Rating) Act 2002, while HM Queen Elizabeth II largest number of seats. the legislation governing the local GOVERNOR-GENERAL: 2. LEGAL BASIS FOR electoral process is the Local Electoral Dame LOCAL GOVERNMENT Act 2001. Another significant piece of legislation is the Resource Management 2.1 Constitutional provisions HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: Act 1991 (RMA 1991), which promotes the New Zealand has no written constitution. Prime Minister sustainable management of natural and Local government is a creature of statute physical resources. A key feature of this FORM OF GOVERNMENT: with the first Municipal Corporations Act is the extent to which responsibilities Act having been passed by the country’s and powers for resource management 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%

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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 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 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.

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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 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 29.3c Internal Affairs, 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 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.

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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 the local authority should be received by councillor or mayor cannot be a member 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 Management Act 1991. It is common for All councillors # % # % 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 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 155 THE 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 8. MONITORING SYSTEMS 6.1 National local government association 9. FINANCE, STAFFING AND RESOURCES Local Government New Zealand29.6a Financial oversight is provided by the 29.8 9.1 Local government expenditure (LGNZ) represents the national interests Office of the Auditor General , which In the 2015/16 financial year, local of councils of New Zealand by providing audits councils’ long-term plans and government expenditure was 9.8% policy advice and training to councils annual reports to ensure the suitability of total government expenditure, a and advocating on their behalf. of forecasting assumptions and the reduction of 0.9% over the previous Membership is voluntary but all 78 local quality of performance information as financial year (See Table 29.2b.) authorities are currently members. well as the prudent use of resources. 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 9.3 Transfers local authority officers. SOLGM is 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 nature of the bilateral relationships will Rates 5,317 Depreciation and amortisation 1,935 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

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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 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 , 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 29.10b satisfactory performance review. Other and physical resource management services. 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 , 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

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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 has since ended the publication of Finance Statistics 29.2a Local Government Act 2002 www.elections.org.nz for Local Government after www.legislation.govt.nz/act/ 29.4b The Department of Internal 2015. New Zealand Government public/2002/0084/latest/versions.aspx Affairs; Online Voting Finance Statistics - Local 29.2b National policy statement on www.dia.govt.nz/online-voting 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_ government in Asia Pacific: Status 29.3b LGNZ New Zealands councils finance/central_government/ report 2010/12 www.clgf.org.uk/ www.lgnz.co.nz/nzs-local- GovernmentFinanceStatistics​ default/assets/File/Publications/ government/new-zealands-councils CentralGovernment_ reports/Womens_Representation_ 29.3c Department of Internal Affairs HOTPYeJun15.aspx in_Local_Govt_in_Asia_ www.dia.govt.nz 29.10a Local Councils New Zealand PacificUNDP_CLGF2010.pdf 29.3d In 2000 Rodney District www.localcouncils.govt.nz 29.5 No reference for this section Council was deemed to be 29.10b New Zealand Foreign Affairs 29.6a Local Government New Zealand dysfunctional and was replaced and Trade – the Sustainable www.lgnz.co.nz by a commissioner appointed by 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

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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 n Civil status register 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 n n Urban rail 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 n Cemeteries and crematoria 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 n fisheries, some local authorities have forestry Trade and industry interests for investment purposes Tourism n n

n sole responsibility service n joint responsibility service n discretionary service

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