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This proposed legislation is an ad hoc and backward step for water management, promoting a central planning approach that is out of line with international best practice. Read more

In past submissions we have called on the Wellington City Council (the Council) to focus on its core business of providing local public goods and undertaking regulatory functions conferred on it by central government. We have urged it to exit from commercial activities and review its provision of and/or funding of club goods such as the libraries, the zoo and swimming pools. Read more

The Auckland City Council (the Council) is to be commended for the steps that it has taken to concentrate on its core activities, reduce the rate of growth in spending and rates, and lower net debt. The thrust of the Council's policies over the last couple of years has been consistent with those advocated by the Forum in past submissions to the Council. Read more

The Auckland City Council (the Council) is to be commended for the steps that it is taking to concentrate on its core activities and reduce the rate of growth in spending and rates. The proposed strategic plan is also better focused and more realistic than the previous strategic plan, The First City of the Pacific, which has justifiably been discarded. Read more

In submissions over the past few years, we have called on the Wellington City Council (the Council) to focus on its core business, exit from other activities and implement more efficient funding arrangements. By focusing on its core activities the Council could cut expenditure and rates, which we believe is an essential step towards making Wellington an attractive place for business. Read more

A thorough revision of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) is warranted. The new act must, however, be based on sound principles. Read more

The serious deficiencies of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) are widely recognised. A thorough revision of the Act is warranted. Read more

In general we consider the discussion paper is competent and sound. Our main criticism is its failure to highlight in chapter 5 the need to avoid imposing changes to offer back and related conditions that would have retrospective effect. Read more

The Plan does not focus on funding public good activities. All passenger transport projects for which grant applications have been received since 1998 and are reported to have passed "legislative filters" are unambiguously private good activities. Read more

A prime concern of business organisations over the last few years has been the cumulative increases in the Council's expenditure, rates and compulsory charges as a consequence of its failure to focus on core activities, exit from other activities and implement more efficient funding arrangements. Unless the Council reconsiders its approach and adopts business organisations' suggestions, ratepayers will be confronted by continuing and unsustainable rate increases. Read more