Paula Bennett: There will be structural change

Paula Bennett

Inevitably, the conversation about how local government plays its part in embracing growth and addressing challenges usually turns to what the structures look like.

I can understand why. Local government developed in a pretty ad hoc fashion without any strategic thinking about what it should do. And here's the proof: By 1912 there was one elected representative for every 15 adult men in the country, and we had 3877 local authorities serving a population of about one million people. Councils owned and operated businesses ranging from abattoirs to zoos. One built a hydroelectric dam, and another owned a fishing fleet.

As any good designer would tell you -- form should follow function.

We need to call time on what has been a relentless focus on how many mayors we have, or for bureaucrats to decide what your local democracy should look like.

Now, more than ever, New Zealanders expect you to rededicate yourselves to focusing on the issues that matter to your people, your communities. This means more jobs, sustained growth, and sensible spending on reliable infrastructure.

I want local government to do more work in this space.

I am concerned that there are regions still having the same conversations that they have been having for the past 30 years.

Yes, there are areas where it makes sense for you to work together, but it has to go beyond close relationships between councils.

It is great so many of you that neighbour each other get along so well and you have decided to share some services, resources, and expertise.

Now it is time to take a mature look at the structure that is needed to lock in change.

I imagine there are some who think that because the Commission has decided to take large reorganisation off the table for greater Wellington and Northland, and because I have clearly stated I will not legislate for large amalgamation, that you can all continue as you have.

Well you can't.

It is not in the best interests of the people of New Zealand.

We simply have to look at growth across a region, and your current structure does not strategically or cohesively support that.

There are so many examples I can give you.

Some councils have a department that supports local tourism, others have one backing major events.

Or business growth in a separate department that doesn't work with education or understand the broader strategic direction of local infrastructure and the effect that has on business.

An area with the populationof 43,000 can have five waste-water treatment plants all run independently.

A national business that is in growth mode that I spoke with recently has a team that spends its time negotiating different rules and regulations of different councils, when all they want to do is create jobs and service a community.

That is ridiculous.

It is time for sustained, locked-in change. So I reiterate, I will not legislate for large amalgamation. I am as tired as our communities are of having an argument over how many mayors there should be and over whom is bigger than whom and which area will dominate.

Size doesn't always matter, but long-term sustainable growth in the best interests of all New Zealanders should.

The Local Government Commission is going to work alongside you and your communities to ensure that we have the right structure, legally, financially, and with the right accountabilities to ensure sustainable growth in our towns and cities.

This might mean a CCO on water or transport across a region. It could mean a different business structure or increased responsibilities and accountabilities for regional councils.

It could even mean in areas that might put a number of CCOs in place for key growth and infrastructure that there is no longer a need for a regional council. Some councils may even choose to amalgamate.

I fully understand and accept that one solution will not work across all of New Zealand.

That is why the Local Government Commission will be working up various structure options for each region to look at and decide what works best for them, and then where necessary I will legislate to either set up a new CCO across a region -- or even to take something away.

I have zero interest in imposing unwanted change on you.

But you know that our regions are not as cohesive as they need to be to support our challenges and our future growth.

So I implore you to do something about it. Be brave -- own the change and both the commission and I will do everything we can to assist and support you. But let me be clear -- there will be change.

* Paula Bennett is Minister of Local Government. This is an edited version of her speech to the Local Government New Zealand Annual Conference in Rotorua on Tuesday.

* Business and civic leaders, organisers, experts in their field and interest groups can contribute opinions. The views expressed here are not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz.

* Viewpoints on the amalgamation debate can be submitted for consideration and will be used as long as no council resources, money, time or expertise are used in their preparation. This is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002.