The late Sir Robert Muldoon once said, about how quickly his government could make law: (more…)
Local Government
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Democracy: how fast can it go?
Friday, December 3rd, 2010 -
Partnering is not a one-size-fits-all
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
Megan Courtney is a member of the development team of the Inspiring Communities initiativeThe term ‘partnership’ seems to be used to describe almost every kind of collaborative experience. So, the language of partnership is everywhere, but what does it really mean? (more…)
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Auckland: Rodney ‘Frankenstein’s’ mistake?
Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
A view from our President, Tony MayowWhether one accepts or rejects the thesis that Auckland’s reorganisation was designed under the assumption it would be inherited by John Banks, there can be no doubt that the first Council election result has presented a scenario only the bold would have predicted just one year ago. (more…)
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Local Government- ‘Who was that for again?’
Friday, September 10th, 2010A view from our President, Tony Mayow
This issue’s focus on local government brings together a number of concerns.I’ve written and talked a lot about the connections between local government with community development and social services. I’ve made no secret about my passion for the central, positive role that good local government can play in supporting communities, and about the grave concerns that have been raised over the past 18 months about government’s intentions for it. (more…)
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Local government reform: is democracy being watered down?
Friday, September 10th, 2010
Mike Reid is Manager Governance, Local Government New ZealandWith a clever play on water, the PSA is currently running a campaign to raise interest in this year’s local election by asking whether or not the reorganisation of Auckland and planned changes to the Local Government Act will lead to a loss of local democracy i.e. it is being ‘watered down’. (more…)
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New resource helps Community and Voluntary Sector with Local Government Elections
Friday, September 10th, 2010
ComVoices, an independent coalition of Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary organisations, has released a free online information pack to support members of our sector to participate in the local government elections. (more…) -
Community organisations and civil society
Friday, September 10th, 2010
Pat Hanley is a trustee of the Social and Civil Policy Institute (SCPI) which is dedicated to the creation of an equitable society based on open dialogue and full participation of all citizens.What is the role and responsibility of community organisations faced with the challenges arising out of the current reforms? (more…)
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Gisborne Voter Participation Project
Friday, September 10th, 2010
We talked to Justine Crawford, Project Leader for the Gisborne Voter Participation Project. They’re working in low participation areas of Gisborne District to try and increase voter turnout and interest in the forthcoming local body elections. (more…) -
Local Government as we know it, some thoughts on Auckland, along with a local case study
Friday, September 10th, 2010Pat Hanley, Social & Civic Policy Institute
Local government in New Zealand was established on firm liberal principals. Its focus was clearly on property interests. The electoral franchise was property-based, one vote per property. Local government revenue was based primarily on a land tax and rates. The functions of local government were prescribed by central government as relating principally to services to property. (more…)
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Putting the Local into Government
Friday, September 10th, 2010
from Tina Reid, Executive DirectorAs part of revising our strategic plan recently, we had some very lively discussion on the role of the Federation in supporting and building strong communities, and this is the essence of our recent submission to the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill. (more…)