
Christchurch City Council’s submission on the Future for Local Government Review Panel’s draft report, ‘He mata whāriki, he matawhānui’, is ready to be sent after it was approved at the Council’s meeting today.
The independent panel, commissioned by the Minister of Local Government, reports on the future of local government in light of the three waters and environmental management reforms and how they will affect the sector.
The panel’s draft report outlines the ‘need for a local governance system in Aotearoa that is community-focused and citizen-centred, based on strong relationships and partnerships’. The panel describes its review as an opportunity to “reimagine” the future for local democracy and local public services.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says it’s important for the Council to submit on proposals that could significantly affect residents or Council business.
“It’s very important that we’re able to advocate for the community of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula in the early stages of this process, which will affect everyone and will change our responsibilities as a Council and the services we provide,” he says.
In its submission, the Council recommends:
Mr Mauger says it’s clear that there are aspects of local government that don’t work as well as they could.
“It’s great that we’ve had the chance to make a submission that puts forward the issues and solutions as we see them at this point,” he says.
“There’s a huge opportunity here to fix a lot of what’s wrong with the current system. We could be doing so much better for our citizens.
“Hopefully this submission, and those of other councils, will help the Government make changes that will be best for local authorities and their communities all around New Zealand.”
Read the draft submission here.