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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

In submissions over the past few years business organisations 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. Unless such policies are adopted, ratepayers will be confronted by continuing rate increases and Wellington City will be a less attractive city than otherwise to locate businesses. Read more

We are strongly of the view that the major contribution that the WRC can make to regional growth and employment prospects is to reduce the rates and regulatory burden it imposes on the private sector. Read more

The 1989 reform of local government increased its efficiency and improved the quality and amount of information available to ratepayers. The rate of improvement within the local government sector has, however, slowed in the recent past. Read more

Being ignorant of New Zealand's local circumstances, I am uncertain what I can offer to another country on topics such as the law and economics of resource management. What I hope to bring is a general theory that applies independently of local concerns. Read more

It is vital that Infrastructure Auckland establishes a valid and consistent view of its role and function that conforms fully with its governing legislation. We consider that in the Plan Infrastructure Auckland has not adequately distinguished its responsibilities and activities from those of other agencies and it has given insufficient attention to its statutory obligation to fund public (not private) good activities. Read more

The Auckland Regional Services Trust ('the Trust') was established as a temporary structure and is an anomaly in local government. No comparable structures exist elsewhere in the country. Read more