LGNZ suggests pragmatic way forward for Local Government reorganisation

The proposed boards overseeing Local Government reorganisation should have a single focus so that reform can be delivered quickly and is enduring, LGNZ says.

LGNZ has published its submission on Simplifying Local Government. It supports a reset of local government structure, with members at its 2025 annual general meeting passing a remit calling for change.

The Government has proposed replacing regional Councillors with Combined Territories Boards (CTBs) comprised of local Mayors. These boards would develop reorganisation plans while simultaneously taking on regional council governance functions.

LGNZ President Rehette Stoltz supports the reorganisation of local government's form, function and, ultimately, its relationship with central government.

“There’s an acknowledgement from all sides that this process is ambitious. Our focus is to make sure it’s as enduring as possible.

“We need local government to continue contributing positively to New Zealand’s economy and democracy, and our submission makes suggestions to strengthen what’s on the table.”

LGNZ’s Regional Sector Chair Dr Deon Swiggs said developing reorganisation plans will require a significant amount of extra work for most Mayors.

“Taking on the governance of regional councils would further add to this workload and could jeopardise the speed and quality of the reorganisation plans and the implementation of resource management reform.”

One pragmatic suggestion is to retain regional Councillors until either the end of this triennium or when reorganisation plans are finalised, Swiggs said.

“This flexibility would allow CTBs to concentrate on reorganisation and get the job done more efficiently.”

LGNZ acknowledges the Government may be committed to removing regional Councillors immediately, Swiggs said.

If that’s the case, one option LGNZ suggests is keeping current regional council Chairs as the Chair or member of a CTB.

Another option is to appoint outgoing regional Councillors to a CTB committee in the same way non-elected members can be appointed to council committees.

“Regional Councillors have important insights to contribute to the development of these plans, which would be lost if they are completely removed from the process”, Swiggs said.

“We want the right expertise in the room so that the most significant changes to local government since 1989 are successful and enduring.”

LGNZ also wants to ensure reorganisation plans already underway, like in the Southland region, can continue at pace, Swiggs said.

“It’s important that councils who have already started a reorganisation process before these Government proposals come into effect can press ahead.

“We don’t want them to be unnecessarily slowed down or made to redo processes."