Better Local Government Programme Background
This page is a historic record.
It contains links to old and/or superseded documents for reference purposes only.
- Cabinet papers and minutes
- Regulatory Impact statements
- Speeches
- Media releases
- Q & A
- Local Government Efficiency Taskforce
- Expert Advisory Group on local government infrastructure provision
- Legislation
- Summary of the legislation
- Links to other Government programmes
Cabinet Papers and Minutes
- View or download the Better Local Government Cabinet Paper - released 12 June 2012 (PDF, 768KB)*
- Cabinet paper (8 August 2013): Better Local Government: Improving development contributions (.pdf) 2MB*
- Cabinet paper (June 2013): Better Local Government: Local boards outside Auckland (.pdf) 618KB*
- Cabinet paper (July 2013): Better Local Government: Opportunities to improve efficiency (.pdf) 1.84MB*
- Cabinet paper (August 2013): Better Local Government: Improving infrastructure delivery and asset management (.pdf) 2.1MB*
Regulatory Impact statements
- View or download the Better Local Government Regulatory Impact Statement - released May 2012
Speeches
- View the Minister's speech from the first reading in Parliament 12 June 2012 (Beehive website)
- View the Minister’s speech from the second reading in Parliament 15 November 2012 (Beehive website)
- View the third reading speech (Beehive website)
- View the Minister’s speech to the Local Government New Zealand conference (Beehive website)
- View the Minister’s speech from the second reading of the 2014 legislation 22 May 2014 (Beehive website)
Media releases relating to the 2012 Amendment
- View the Minister's media release from the first reading of the 2012 legislation 12 June 2013 (Beehive website)
- Media release: Financial benchmarks for local government 13 November 2013 (Beehive website)
- Media release: Government announces new financial performance regulations for local government 19 March 2014
Media releases relating to the 2014 Amendment
- View the Minister’s media release from the first reading of the 2014 legislation 3 December 2013 (Beehive website)
- View the Minister’s media release from the second reading of the 2014 legislation 27 May 2014 (Beehive website)
- Media release: Council development charges reined in to assist housing affordability 15 August 2013 (Beehive website)
- Media release: Local Government planning overhauled 28 August 2013 (Beehive website)
- View the Minister's media release from the third reading of the 2014 legislation 30 July 2013 (Beehive website)
Questions & Answers
- Questions and Answers about the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (Parliament website)
- Questions and Answers (.pdf) 23KB*
- Questions and Answers (.doc) 79KB
- General Q & A (.doc) 70KB
- Assets Q & A (.doc) 71KB
- Consultation and Planning Provisions Q & A (.doc) 80KB
- Development Contributions Q & A (.doc) 71KB
- Efficiency Q & A (.doc) 70KB
- Local Boards Q & A (.doc) 80KB
Local Government Efficiency Taskforce
The efficiency taskforce looked at the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning, consultation and financial reporting requirements and practices local government faces. It reported to the Minister of Local Government in December 2012.
- View the Local Government Efficiency Taskforce Report (PDF, 736KB)*
- View the Local Government Efficiency Taskforce Report (DOC, 611KB)
- View the Minister's press release: Local government efficiency taskforce report released (Beehive website)
Expert Advisory Group on local government infrastructure provision
The expert advisory group looked at the efficiency of local government infrastructure purchasing, provision and maintenance. It reported to the Minister of Local Government in March 2013.
- Link here to the Minister's media release: Local government infrastructure group appointed (Beehive website)
- Link here to the infrastructure efficiency expert advisory group's Terms of Reference (.pdf) 54KB*
- Link here to Beehive press release: Councils infrastructure under spot light (17 April 2013)
- Report of the Local Government Infrastructure Efficiency Expert Advisory Group (DOC, 6.8MB)
- Report of the Local Government Infrastructure Efficiency Expert Advisory Group (PDF, 4.6MB)*
Legislation
- View the text of the Act (Legislation website)
Summary of the 2012 amendments to the legislation
- Summary of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012
Links to other Government programmes
Productivity Commission Inquiry
The Productivity Commission has conducted an inquiry into local government regulation. Its report is available on its website at: http://www.productivity.govt.nz/inquiry-content/1510
Housing Affordability
In October 2012 the Government announced its response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into housing affordability (Treasury website).
The Government’s response broadened the review of development contributions and added the workstream to explore options for a local government performance monitoring framework to the Better Local Government programme.
The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2010
The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2010 was given Royal assent on 26 November 2010. The Act implements Cabinet's decisions on a package of reforms to improve the transparency, accountability and financial management of local government.
In February 2013 the Department completed consulting with the public and local authorities on a set of draft performance measures for each group of activities. Feedback provided is currently being considered and will be used to develop the final performance measures.
