Call for local govt royal commission
WELLINGTON: A Kapiti Coast district councillor has written to ministers and MPs urging them to establish a royal commission on local government.
Cr Gwynn Compton said the sector was reaching ‘‘crisis point’’ and needed to be overhauled so it was fit for purpose.
He said it was clear the arrangements put in place more than 40 years ago were not coping with the significant challenges facing local government.
National local government spokesman Christopher Luxon, who was one of the recipients of Cr Compton’s letter, said a royal commission would be a step too far at this point.
But he acknowledged change was needed.
‘‘There are plenty of issues plaguing local government right now and the system needs serious overhauling, particularly when it comes to infrastructure.’’
Between rapid population growth, decades of underinvestment in infrastructure, three waters reform, climate change and the Covid19 pandemic fallout, councils were carrying a heavy burden, Mr Luxon said.
Cr Compton said it was ‘‘becoming increasingly apparent that the structure and financing of local government isn’t a good fit for the challenges it now finds itself facing’’.
‘‘Its heavy dependence on property rates to fund the services and community facilities it provides has been shown to be politically and financially unsustainable in the long term, with councils around New Zealand now under enormous pressure with the shortcomings of that dependency coming home to roost.’’
For example, the Wellington City Council is in the midst of trying to find ways to reduce a forecast 23% rates increase next year.
Mr Compton said the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance played a critical role in the eventual Super City reorganisation.
The approach taken by the Local Government Commission for the Wellington region lacked any political weight with decisionmakers and the wider community, he said.
The terms of reference for a royal commission would ideally cover the role, structure and financing of local government, ensuring a consistent approach to Maori wards and iwi participation across the country, and include a review the role of the Local Government Commission, Mr Compton said.
The necessity of a royal commission was his own personal view, but he was aware of significant support for reform from elected members across New Zealand, he said. — The New Zealand Herald