Green support for local communities

The Government's changes to local government will undermine the identity and decision making of local communities, said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman in a keynote speech to the Local Government conference in Queenstown today.

"National's attempted gutting of local government will replace the identity and decision making of local communities with a colourless, central bureaucracy," said Dr Norman.

"The National Government seems set on pulling apart the great work that local government does in their communities.

At the Local Government New Zealand AGM this weekend, the councils voted unanimously to lobby the Government to retain the current purpose of local government which includes social, environmental, economic, and cultural wellbeing.

"The Green Party will be allies in local government's fight to retain the four wellbeings in the purpose of local government.

"The National Government has shown a lack of respect to councils and boards by not consulting with them before bringing this Bill to Parliament."

Dr Norman's speech to the conference came just after the Green Party released survey results showing overwhelming opposition among elected local body representatives to the proposed changes, including 70% opposed to removing social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing from the purpose of local government.

"We want councils who work with their communities to make decisions and have wellbeing - social, environmental, cultural and economic - at their heart," said Dr Norman.

"Our vision for local government is to work with councils on setting national standards, better procurement systems, and exploring revenue sharing options.

"A smart green economy that works for everyone needs effective and engaged local government," said Dr Norman.