A former Canterbury regional council chairperson has questioned the Government’s reasoning for local government reform.
By David Hill of Local Democracy Reporting
Craig Pauling says the Government’s suggestion that New Zealand has too many councils is not consistent with similar sized countries in Europe.
Change was needed, but the Government’s latest announcement lacked reasoning or a clear purpose, he said.
In statement on Tuesday, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said 78 councils was ‘‘a high number for a country of our size’’.
Councils have been given three months to come with proposals to reorganise local government in their regions or the Government will step in.
Changes would come into effect for the 2028 local government elections, which could leave New Zealand with just 20 unitary councils.
There were 11 regional, six unitary and 61 local councils, which Pauling said is low compared to countries like Norway and Finland.
He said the Government was asking councils to come up with proposals without any parameters or a clear plan.
‘‘I don’t mind changing things if it gets a good outcome, but there’s no solid evidence at all.’’
Pauling said the announcement appeared to be an election ploy, as local government was ‘‘an easy target’’.
‘‘The Government has suggested rates capping to make it look like councils are charging us too much.
‘‘But when you compare it to other countries, the money we pay for local government is pretty good and in other countries, governments share more tax with local government.’’
The 2023 Future for Local Government Review Panel noted that central Government collected 93% of tax.
Pauling said New Zealand should have three layers of government, similar to countries such as Norway and Finland.
Under this model, regional councils would be the consenting authority, and manage rivers, the environment, pest management and public transport, with local councils responsible for delivering services.
A recent example was the Bromley plant, where Environment Canterbury as the regulator has been able to hold the Christchurch City Council to account.
‘‘Unitaries can set, write and mark their own exams,’’ Pauling said.
Councils often stepped up to provide services which were not being provided adequately by Government, including the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme and local housing policies.
Maritime management was ‘‘a mishmash’’ as it was unclear whether it was the responsibility of Government or regional councils, he said.
Whatever the outcome, Pauling said communities, regional councils and mana whenua needed to be involved in the conversation.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said 78 local authorities was high compared to Ireland and Scotland.
‘‘It is the Government’s view that New Zealand has too many councils for the size of our population and that simplifying local government will improve its efficiency.’’
Norway has 15 counties and 356 municipalities, and Finland has 19 regional councils and 308 municipalities, which also run schools and healthcare.
Ireland has 26 county councils, three city councils, and two city and county councils following reform in 2014.
Reform in the 1990s reduced the number of local councils in Scotland to 32.
– Local Democracy Reporting is local-body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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