The top media stories that shaped 2025

It’s been an eventful year for local government in the national media. Let’s look back at some of the biggest storylines in 2025.

• Local elections and elections reform dominated coverage this year. In February we renewed calls for a four-year term for local government, and championed NZ’s transition to a booth voting system for future elections. At SuperLocal we announced both the Electoral Reform Working Group’s final position paper and our partnership with Policy.nz on an online platform for candidates. Following close of nominations, we celebrated the highest number of local body candidates in almost 20 years, while also addressing the voting pack failure that affected some Māori ward candidates; and we reinforced our view that future local elections must be run by the Electoral Commission. We challenged voters to make their voice heard leading up to election day, and pushed for system changes post-election. Last month we talked about how new elected members are ready to roll up their sleeves to deliver results for their communities.
  
• Local government reform has been a strong talking point throughout the year, as has the relationship between local and central government – and how councils can drive economic growth. In February we said the Government’s overhaul of the Public Works Act (PWA) was ‘timely’, and later said community input was a vital component in RMA reforms. In April we welcomed the Government’s re-think on emergency reform (following LGNZ’s feedback) and called for better collaboration to tackle both New Zealand’s housing challenges and the draft national Infrastructure plan. In July we called for more clarity around council’s role in climate adaptation, responded to the Government’s System Improvements Bill, and used the Berl report to detail local government’s contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth. We called for a review of local government structure in July, and welcomed changes to the building consent system – particularly the move towards proportionate liability. Last month we responded to Government’s proposed local government reforms by saying it must be workable – and ratepayers must get bang for buck – and we said councils will need funding and support as they transition through the RM changes.
  
• Rates capping has been a big topic in media, ever since the Government first announced their intention to explore this in 2024. In February we talked about South Australia’s rates cap issues, and warned that a rate cap on councils will increase debt costs and place extra burden on communities. In September we highlighted the Infometrics analysis saying the average NZ household pays 10 times more in taxes than in local government rates. Earlier this month we responded to the Government’s ‘pivot’ to a rates band but made it clear the impact this will have on council’s investment in core infrastructure.
  
• The abuse and harassment of EMs has been an ongoing topic this year. In March we welcomed the announcement of new legislation to prevent people from being stalked and harassed, then in May we released a ‘How to stay safe’ guide for councils while shining a spotlight on the level of abuse that many elected members are subjected to. We welcomed the Government’s security allowance announcement in June and the passing of stalking legislation in November – as another much needed tool to combat abusive behaviour.
  
• Funding & financing has been a constant focus for LGNZ in the media this year, as we’ve advocated for councils to have access to more funding levers. Early in the year we called for the IVL to be shared fairly with councils, and talked about how councils are willing partners in driving economic growth – as long as they have the right funding levers in place. We welcomed the new and improved F&F tools, and advocated for Government to move on GST sharing on new builds. In July we cautioned Government to be clear on expectations to councils as part of the regional & city deals announcement, and later welcomed the new eRUC announcement as a way for councils to better fund roading infrastructure. When the Government signalled that emergency system reforms will place new costs on councils, we advocated for a civil defence levy from our F&F toolkit. And in October we cautioned that councils will struggle to meet Government’s new National Adaptation Framework expectations without additional funding tools in place.