Publications

Councils play a critical role in leading adaptation response.

The Compliance and Enforcement Special Interest Group (CESIG) comprises regulatory managers from the 16 regional and unitary councils making up the Regional Sector of local government within New Zealand.

LGNZ’s view on the Productivity Commission’s findings and recommendations.

This guidance document is designed to provide councils with support, and a consistent approach, for regularly assessing the exposure of their infrastructure to sea level rise and inland flood risk. To read a summary click here.

An analysis of issues identified by councils giving effect to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity.

In August 2018, a working group of representatives from central and local government was established to co-produce guidance on how central government can engage effectively with local government.

The RMA is New Zealand’s flagship environmental legislation and its implementation is highly devolved. Achieving the purpose of the Act – the sustainable management of natural and physical resources – is dependent on the quality of that implementation.

Legal opinion from Jack Hodder QC, gauging the litigation risks that councils face by choosing to recognise or ignore climate change-related risks in their decision-making.  

#localismNZ: Bringing power to the people explains the rationale behind localism and responds to commonly heard objections. This essay explains how unusual New Zealand's centralism is when compared internationally. New Zealand's councils have limited fiscal autonomy.

Councils are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, which have bearing on the prosperity, vibrancy and long-term viability of our communities.