Local control matters
Central government has ramped up the pressure on local and regional councils to “simplify” and…
Browsing: Local Government
Council change looming
It’s time for life-preserving surgery… The Coalition Government is focused on state sector reform, and…
Councils and thinking big
A Waikato super council, for want of a better description, will inevitably be one of…
Clarity on homelessness
Focus and clarity were the words in my mind when I sat down to write…
Balancing rates and risk
One of the main workstreams since my last report was to complete our annual plan.…
Our horse legacy matters
‘Fast-moving and high-energy’ seems an appropriate forecast for this Chinese Year of the Fire Horse.…
The trouble with capping rates
At Federated Farmers, we’re all in favour of greater local government spending restraint. We’re not…
Water, water, everywhere…
There is no need to exaggerate. Recent rainfall has done that for us, the extreme…
Opportunities to amalgamate
The process began under Labour, when it directed councils to combine their water businesses into…
Emergency response criticality
Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity – the ‘VUCA’ model of the world – was highlighted…
In awe of crowds and resolutions
The new year and summer remind me that we humans have a long history of…
Dollars and sense
Dear Santa, I’m hoping for the greatest gift of all for all – a great…
Historic shift in leadership
From Bay of Plenty Regional Council planner to chair. Matemoana McDonald now leads a newly…
Calls for reform
Former Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby believes the entire local government engagements process needs to be…
Denyer secures another term
Western Bay mayor James Denyer has been re-elected with a stronger mandate and a renewed…
A watershed moment
An immense challenge is ahead of Iawai/Flowing Waters, the new mega water services entity set…
