North Canterbury Mayors welcome Future for Local Government Report

Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura Mayors welcome the Future for Local Government report but say the primary issue remains funding.

“There’s a lot in this report and we will need to take time to look into the details,” says Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon. “However generally speaking we’re supportive of the council-led, localism first approach it seems to be recommending.”

“The report shows promise in terms of its focus on intergenerational wellbeing, relationships with iwi hapu, a larger focus on localism, and possible sector-led re-organisation. But the main issue facing local government is funding because we can’t do any of the above without addressing the funding model.”

The three mayors do not favour re-organisation as this is at odds with localism. Instead, they would build on the positive partnerships that already exist between their councils and communities, and throughout wider Canterbury.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says while there may be an initial focus on topics such as lowering the voting age, four-year terms, and re-organisation of the sector, the important theme was ensuring that local voices can have a real say in their communities.

“While there are some headlines in the report, I think most councils would look at this and view it as positive.

“The focus on placed-based approaches to tackling the big problems like climate change is one that I strongly agree with. Councils are in the best place to solve these issues in partnership with their communities and any potential re-organisation would need to be council and community led if these prickly issues are to be solved.”

Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said a lot of the recommendations were common sense and he welcomed the focus on partnership and in turn funding.

“A highlight for me is the focus on local government and how it interacts with central government. For a long time, councils have had additional un-funded mandates forced on us through central legislation without funding and it’s put the sector into a tight spot.

“Canterbury councils already have good working relationships. The three North Canterbury councils already work closely together to assist each other and our communities. Key to that is the collaborative nature of our relationship and good communication.

“Central government needs to look to this type of collaboration and partnership. Trust in local government is going to be crucial if we’re to confront challenges and lift the wellbeing of our communities across generations. There is a lot of scope and promise in this report but until the funding side of it is settled it’ll remain irrelevant.”