Delegates gathering for LGNZ meeting

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick (right) and district council chief executive Geoff Williams.

Mayors, councillors and officials from all over the country will descend on Rotorua from tomorrow for the 2015 Local Government New Zealand conference.

More than 580 delegates of all political stripes are expected to attend the three-day conference, which takes place at the city's Energy Events Centre.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, who will deliver a speech at tomorrow's opening ceremony, said she felt proud to be welcoming delegates to the city.

"It's very exciting to be hosting and [be] able to showcase our region and our district."

During the conference, prizes will be handed out to local authorities for their efforts in many different categories.

The Rotorua Lakes Council has been nominated for a Fulton Hogan Excellence award, in recognition of the "local economic contribution" of its ongoing inner city revitalisation strategy.

"We love our entry because it is the symbol of change we are embarking on," Mrs Chadwick said.

The inner city strategy is not without its critics.

It has come under fire from some councillors reluctant to approve new capital spending projects, while some Rotorua businesses have criticised the council for removing car parks in the CBD.

But Mrs Chadwick was unapologetic about the strategy, which is being spearheaded by councillor Karen Hunt.

"Business as usual wasn't going to get Rotorua going, so we saw this [inner city project] as an investment."

After tomorrow morning's registration session, delegates will be taken to city attractions including the Rotorua Art Trail and Redwoods forest.

But despite being the host city, not all Rotorua district councillors will be attending LGNZ 2015.

Councillor Mike McVicker cited costs of $1410 per person to the council to attend the full conference as the reason he had decided against making an appearance.

The total cost of Rotorua's delegation to this year's conference is $14,040, with delegates including Mrs Chadwick, deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson, and the council's chief executive Geoff Williams.

"Attending the conference keeps our councillors up to date with key developments in the sector and they gain knowledge they can then apply in making robust decisions for the Rotorua district," Mr Williams said.

LGNZ president and Mayor of Hastings District Council Lawrence Yule said he was pleased to be bringing the conference to Rotorua.

"[The city] holds many advantages for a conference host including the Energy Events Centre which is a prime location to hold a conference of this size," said Mr Yule.

"It is also an ideal location for partners and those delegates wanting to take some personal time before or after the conference."

There will be guest speakers at the conference, including Brenda Halloran, former Mayor of Waterloo, Canada; Stephen Yarwood, Adelaide's former Lord Mayor; and Oliver Hartwich, executive of the business-led public policy think tank, The New Zealand Initiative.