Publications

Date updated: 23 June 2017

• Good practice guide for freedom camping

  Published: April 19, 2018

  The experience and challenges of freedom camping which have occurred since the passing of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 (FCA) into law has prompted the compilation of this, The Good Practice Guide for Freedom Camping, as a resource for both councils and tourism operators.

• Water 2050: Governance - A better framework for drinking water regulation

  Published: April 9, 2018

  LGNZ is now building on our 3 Waters project through Water 2050. Water 2050 proposes that a more integrated water policy framework is needed. There are five components; allocation, water quality, infrastructure, governance and cost/ funding. This report, "A better framework for drinking water regulation" explores what a new regulatory system to enable the provision of safe drinking water could look like.

• Treaty Settlements Whakataunga Tiriti

  Published: March 16, 2018

  The case for increased financial contribution to local government for implementing treaty settlement arrangements.

• Climate change project on a page

  Published: December 21, 2017

  Climate change will affect us all during our lifetimes. Between 1990 and 2015, New Zealand’s net carbon emissions have risen by 64%.

• Water 2050 project on a page

  Published: November 6, 2017

  New Zealand’s water resources - natural rivers, lakes, streams; and drinking water, stormwater, wastewater - are critical to our nation’s livelihood and wellbeing. We need to understand the linkages and that changes in one area impact significantly on the others.

• Local Government Leaders' Water Declaration

  Published: October 30, 2017

  As the leaders of their communities the Mayors and Chairs of New Zealand declare their continuing and absolute commitment to valuing and managing water as a precious resource.  The 2017 Local Government Leaders' Water Declaration is local government’s commitment to achieving the goals we all want – plentiful clean and safe water for generations to come.

• Addressing New Zealand’s biodiversity challenge: five recommendations for change

  Published: August 15, 2017

  Our native flora and fauna is a Taonga that does much to define us as a nation and the time is right to tackle the big questions around its future management. Good progress is being made in some areas, aided by effective new technology and greater public, corporate and philanthropic attention to and investment in the environment. But business as usual will not be good enough if we are to maintain our unique indigenous biodiversity. It is under threat, and we are losing ground in many cases. We have considered how we could better manage our indigenous biodiversity, with a particular focus on the role and work of regional councils.

• Better economic development in local government

  Published: July 24, 2017

  This survey provides for the first time a comprehensive picture of local government’s investment in economic development services. It provides a solid platform to identify any issues within the sector, and will help stimulate strategic discussions about how greater value can be delivered in the future.

• Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration 2017

  Published: July 22, 2017

  In 2015, Mayors and Chairs of New Zealand declared an urgent need for responsive leadership and a holistic approach to climate change. We, the Mayors and Chairs of 2017, wholeheartedly support that call for action.

• Local government position statement on climate change

  Published: July 22, 2017

  Local government recognises a critical need for proactive collaboration between central and local government, and between city, regional, unitary and district councils which recognises the different mandates and roles for climate change responses. We will work together with our communities.