KEY POINTS:
The Government today confirmed details of its inquiry into rates, six weeks after it first promised a review.
Local Government Minister Mark Burton announced the inquiry in August, heading off a private member's bill that would have capped rate rises and killing off support for a Parliamentary select committee inquiry.
Green Party Local Government Spokesperson Metiria Turei said her party was "delighted" the inquiry would address funding of public transport and rates remission regarding Maori land.
She added: "Most importantly, the general affordability of rates, particularly for low-income communities, needs attention."
Mr Burton was today careful to emphasise the input by NZ First and that party's leader Winston Peters appeared alongside him for today's announcement of the terms of reference.
The inquiry will be conducted by David Shand chairman, Graeme Horsley and Dr Christine Cheyne.
It starts work this month and will report to the Government by July 31, 2007. The public's views will be called for early in the new year.
The objective is to consider local government rating and other revenue raising methods.
It will make recommendations for improving the rates system and other funding for local authorities.
Mr Burton said: "Issues relating to the way local authorities are funded are of significant interest to ratepayers and both local and central government. The use of an independent inquiry such as this is the most effective process for looking at these important issues."
Mr Peters said: "The timeframe is tight, but appropriate given that it will coincide with the lead up to local government elections next year. The public will be able to see exactly what local body candidates stand for in relation to those issues being canvassed by this inquiry.
"The challenge now is for those who wish to contribute to this process to be active and have their say."
WHO ARE THEY?
David Shand – chairman
Worked as a public financial management specialist at both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He has also worked with the OECD. He has held a number of senior positions in state and federal government in Australia. In the early 1970s, Mr Shand was a city councillor with the Wellington City Council. He is also a Director of Meridian Energy Ltd. He is a former University lecturer in public sector accounting and budgeting and has published numerous articles on public management – in areas of public financial management.
Graeme Horsley
Mr Horsley is a former partner of Ernst and Young's real estate practice and is widely recognised as an expert in property investment and valuation. He is a leading member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and a member of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board. He has held a number of company directorships including Carter Group Ltd, Trustbank Wellington, and Housing New Zealand. He also has international experience of the real estate sector. More recently he has focussed on major corporate and public sector issues in investment and economic analysis.
Dr Christine Cheyne
Dr Cheyne is a senior lecturer at Massey University. She has studied and written on local government in New Zealand. She is an environmental sustainability representative on the Horizons Regional Council Regional Land Transport Committee, and is a member of the Taranaki/Whanganui Conservation Board. She has previously worked in planning and research for the Palmerston North City Council. Dr Cheyne has specialist knowledge in the community welfare aspect of local government and has contributed to publications on local government leadership, decision-making and governance.
Source: Minister of Local Government
- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF