Frequently Asked Questions 
1. What courses do you recommend?
A. We recommend that councils budget for each member to attend up to nine courses during their three-year term of office, with provision for longer serving members to refresh their skills. Each of the topic areas offered in the short courses being developed has been supported by a majority of members in survey responses and will provide skills that complement those learnt in other courses.
2. Why should councils invest in elected members training for what might only be a three-year term?
A. Our elected members are doing an important job using the variety of skills that they bring from different life experiences, but many of the skills required in local government are broad and different from what is learnt in other areas. Elected members oversee millions of dollars of expenditure and make decisions on the diverse activities councils are required or choose to undertake on behalf of their communities. Training will strengthen members to more effectively provide oversight, decision-making and leadership for their councils and communities.
3. Why is there a cost for the courses?
A. We have some funding which we are using to develop course materials and pilot the courses to ensure they are achieving what is needed. If we didn't charge for the course and delivered it locally to around 1,000 elected members it might give each current member one free course, BUT with no funding to actually develop, plan or deliver that course or other courses, and nothing to offer their future colleagues. Like councils, we are seeking to take a long-term approach to benefit current and future elected members and their councils. Prices will vary depending on the size of the course and the costs of holding it. Within the pricing, we have endeavored to do several things:
- reduce the price, e.g. by using council in-house facilities where practical
- deliver the course in local areas to reduce travel costs and time for elected members (a huge saving)
- use expert facilitators and specific local government and council "hands on" material
- not charge for project management time where this is (currently) covered by the funding.
Note: we strongly encourage anyone experiencing financial barriers to attending courses to contact us at Local Government New Zealand.
4. What courses will be offered?
A. Courses being developed include:
- Financial Governance 101: What you need to know (available now)
- Financial Governance 201: Advanced module choices including debt, investment, depreciation, rating, asset management, policies, CCOs
- Decision-making: Reducing challenges in challenging decisions/ effective decisions under the Local Government Act 2002
- Decision-making: Effective meeting and communication skills
- Governance: Leading local government
- Governance: Strategic planning - getting where you want to be (Ready, Aim, Action)
- Governance: Sustainable planning
- Governance: Working with Māori (tailored modules)
- New Elected Members training (existing course).
5. How did you decide what courses to offer?
A. Local Government New Zealand looked at existing knowledge from previous conversations with elected members and undertook a survey in October 2008, inviting all elected members to provide input.
If you have further questions, please contact: KnowHow@lgnz.co.nz
