Local Government Reform

Local Government Reform: What’s at Stake?

Horizons Regional Council is entering a pivotal term with strong governance and big challenges ahead. Just six weeks ago, I proudly took my oath as Horizons Regional Councillor from the Horowhenua Constituency, after campaigning on fairness, transparency, and smart investments for long-term benefits.

Local government reform is now front and centre. With major changes to the Resource Management Act and the Water Done Well reforms already underway, restructuring councils was inevitable. The goal? Greater efficiency (save costs) but will fewer councillors really save ratepayers money long-term?

The actual pay for councillors varies significantly between councils. This variation is due to factors like council size, population, and the remuneration framework set by the Remuneration Authority. In some cases, mayors may choose to take a lower salary, which increases the pool of funds available for other councillors - this happens but not often.  My guess is that there will be no change to the rates with fewer councillors because the salaries of elected members would likely increase.

Right now, public consultation is open on a proposal to replace Regional Councillors with a board of mayors. This is a critical moment for scrutiny. Any new structure must align with other reforms and avoid concentrating power in ways that sideline local community concerns.

Central government’s recent Fast-track Amendment Approvals Bill highlighted the risks of limiting local consultation. It is expected this Bill will be passed by the end of the year. My view is that shortcuts will lead to costly mistakes and centralising decision making will allow Ministers to cherry-picked projects without fully understanding the impacts on local communities.

So, what’s the best governance model for the future? Should mayors be elected differently if their responsibilities grow? Could we adopt a similar approach to Iceland, where councils choose either an elected member or a professional manager to lead every four years? But most importantly, who will hold them to account?

Voter turnout is falling, and engagement has dropped since the current system was set in 1989. What model will best serve our communities today and for generations to come?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.