Northland councils team up on local government reform

Front row (L-R): Whangārei MP Shane Reti, Northland MP Grant McCallum, National MP Simon Watts and Far North Kahika Moko Tepania. Back row (L-R): NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones, Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper, National MP Tama Potaka, Northland Regional Council chair Pita Tipene and Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen.

By RNZ

Northland’s four councils are presenting a shared vision, following the proposal for local government reform.

Submissions on the bills to replace the Resource Management Act close on Parliament’s website on February 13. A consultation on the plan to replace regional councils with “combined territories boards” is open until February 20, through the Department of Internal Affairs website.

Consultation on whether the Government should force them to cap rates increases to within a range of 2-4% a year will also end soon.

Local Democracy Reporting said the proposed changes could affect councils’ ability to increase rates above a defined threshold, local authorities’ planning remit, and the structure and function of all the regional councils.

Kaipara, Far North and Whangārei, with the Northland Regional Council, are backing a “by Northland, for Northland” approach.

They said the Local Government Minister heard Northland councils were eager to engage early with the Government and held a meeting with Simon Watts on Thursday, before Waitangi Day.

They aimed to demonstrate that, as local leaders, they could be trusted to deliver solutions that work on the ground.

“We support change, but we believe this must reflect Northland’s geography, our unique communities and iwi relationships,” Northland Mayoral Forum chair Moko Tepania said. “The focus must be on outcomes, rather than structure.”

Far North Mayor Tepania said Northland wanted to avoid a “one-size-fits-all” approach to local government reform.

“We are keen to start working with the Government now on a collective response that works for our communities.”

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper said Watts was encouraged by a united Northland.

“We believe that we have a moment in time now where, if we act with a common goal, we can make a real difference,” he said.

Watts said the meeting provided him with valuable insights and context on the challenges facing the region.

“I am encouraged by their recognition that we need to work differently to meet today’s challenges and their commitment to work together with the Government on finding solutions that work.”