Tauranga and Hamilton City Councils are calling the local government review “timid and out of sync”.
The councils say a “much bolder approach” is needed to take advantage of a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to redefine local government.
The Future for Local Government review proposes allowing 16-year-olds to vote, changing council terms from three years to four years, and more money for councillors.
Set up in 2021 by then Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta, an independent panel released its 29 draft recommendations and a number of questions in November 2022 before its final report due in June.
Tauranga and Hamilton City Council commissioned an independent analysis to look at the opportunities and challenges for growth metro councils. They have submitted this to the Local Government Review panel, as well as their own submissions.
The cities’ leaders say the draft report is “silent” on the issues and questions affecting their communities.
Hamilton and Tauranga City Councils says the review needed to be bolder.
The councils want to see the resource management reform line up with the review of local government.
Tolley says better alignment is needed between the review of local government, the resource management and three waters reform processes.
