Rotorua to host 2015 local government conference

Mayor Steve Chadwick.

Rotorua will host the 2015 Local Government New Zealand conference, with about 500 delegates expected at the three-day event.

Mayors, councillors and chief executives from 78 local authorities will descend on the city for the conference at the Energy Events Centre from July 19 to 21 next year.

The announcement was made by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) president Lawrence Yule at the opening day of this year's conference in Nelson on Sunday.

Mr Yule said he was delighted the organisation's annual get-together was returning to Rotorua, as the city had a very good record of successfully staging major conferences and boasted excellent meeting venues and a wide range of accommodation.

"Rotorua is also known for its long history of welcoming and hosting visitors, so I know our delegates can look forward to a warm reception next year," he said.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said it would be an opportunity to showcase the city and the array of projects that had been put in place to advance the district as part of the council's and community's shared Rotorua 2030 vision.

Mrs Chadwick said the news was particularly sweet, coming after the recent announcement Rotorua would host TRENZ in 2015, the country's major international tourism event.

Meanwhile, Mrs Chadwick has backed her local government colleagues in asking the Government to take the lead and show clear direction on the controversial subjects of fluoride, council amalgamations and earthquake-prone buildings.

On Sunday conference goers voted to urge the Government to amend legislation so any decisions on adding fluoride to drinking water supplies were made by the Director-General of Health, rather than by local authorities.

They would also ask the Government to introduce a more flexible framework to help building owners with the earthquake strengthening of buildings with a variety of financial incentives and tools for meeting the challenge of high insurance costs.

Mrs Chadwick also voted for LGNZ to form a policy position on legislation and processes surrounding the reorganisation of local authorities.

This would mean no reorganisation could occur against the wishes of a majority of potential voters, that independent expert evidence would need to demonstrate that any amalgamation had financial benefits that exceeded possible costs, and that all current and potential amalgamation proposals be postponed until legislative amendment occurred.

"Rotorua is affected by all of these things, but that doesn't mean we're alone. There's now a collective strength of view across all local authorities for our communities to be considered in future legislation discussions and decisions on these issues," Mrs Chadwick said.