News & Media

Greetings from LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-GreeneKia ora koutou katoa,

A lot is happening across the local government sector. We are pleased that much of our mahi is happening in partnership with central government for the benefit of our communities.

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is celebrating a significant milestone, having guided 500 mostly young and Covid-19 displaced workers into sustainable employment through its Community Recovery Programme.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is delighted to see Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta announce the introduction of an amendment bill which aims to bring equality to the creation of local Māori wards.

Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) Regional Sector is welcoming the Government’s announcement today on public transport decarbonisation.

Waitaki District Council has received a very positive BBB rating in their first ever CouncilMARK™ assessment, earning praise for their long term thinking and saving for future infrastructure renewals, while receiving a range of recommendations to address challenges around the region’s changing population, demographics and economy.

Season's greetings from LGNZ President Stuart CrosbyKia ora koutou katoa,

It’s fair to say that it’s been a tough year for everyone, including local government.   The challenges have been well-traversed by now – lockdowns, job losses and economic  uncertainty.

Ōtorohanga District Council has received their first CouncilMARK™ report today, finding a small council focused on core priorities that is facing increasing pressure to meet growing community and infrastructure expectations.

Local Government New Zealand welcomes the leadership shown by a Southland group, comprising farmers, environmental NGOs, farming industry bodies and the regional council, who are working together to recommend new ways of making the intensive winter grazing regulations more practical and implementable.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has publicly released its Briefing for the Incoming Government, identifying three intertwined areas within the local government portfolio that should be the focus for both LGNZ and the Government over the next three years.

CouncilMARK™’s Independent Assessment Board (IAB) has released their latest report, on the performance of Bay of Plenty Regional Council, finding an organisation with some of the strongest iwi co-governance arrangements of any council, and a cohesive culture among both councillors and staff that is driving solutions for the region’s challenges.