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The purpose of this report is to provide a primer on the core role of local government: the provision of public goods. Governments have to distinguish their roles from those of the private sector and prioritise their plans because the demands on them are unlimited, but resources are scarce. Read more

The Business Roundtable supports the Regulatory Responsibility Bill (Bill), with the exception of clause 11 that attempts to exclude the courts. We also make a number of suggestions for minor improvements. Read more

In terms of revenue, spending and assets, many councils rank with New Zealand’s largest enterprises: ratepayers’ equity is a massive $67 billion, or $16,300.00 per capita. This report points to the very large increases in rates payable by households and businesses over recent years. Read more

We share the WRS team’s concern about the lagging performance of the regional economy. Both directly and through the Local Government Forum we have drawn attention to this problem in submissions to the Wellington City Council and the Wellington Regional Council over many years. Read more

Submission on Auckland Regional Council's draft long term community plan 2006 - 2016 presented by Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) in conjunction with New Zealand Business Roundtable. Read more

We welcome the focus on this issue. The quality of life in Auckland, not to mention New Zealand's prosperity, depends on an efficient transport system. Read more

The Forum has long argued that the main contribution the Council can make to the advancement of the overall welfare of the citizens of Wellington City is to minimise the rates and regulatory burdens that it imposes. It could achieve this by focusing on funding genuine local public goods and services, facilitating the efficient provision of necessary infrastructure and exiting from non-core activities. Read more

This paper was prepared by Capital Economics Ltd for the Local Government Forum. Read more

The Forum considers that local authorities should restrict themselves to their core business of providing local public goods and performing its regulatory activities in an efficient manner. Read more

Our submission focuses on the Council's proposed spending and revenue, and its rating policy, particularly the issue of the business differential. Read more