Kaipara represented at LGNZ conference

 

The Local Government NZ (LGNZ) Conference was held in Wellington earlier this month carrying the theme ‘Riding the localism wave: Putting communities in charge’ and is about empowering communities to take charge of their social, economic, environmental and culture well-being through localism.

The concept is reshaping governments around the world, recognising that best outcomes are a result of local people making local decisions about the places they live. 

With the introduction of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill, a number of LGNZ Excellence awards were given, designed to showcase council projects, programmes and people who have made a real impact in local communities. 

Approximately 600 delegates attended – mayors, chairs, chief executives, councillors and senior management from New Zealand's councils, along with key players from the private sector, business, government and non-government agencies.
Kaipara was represented at the conference by mayor Jason Smith and councillors Anna Curnow and Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock who got to see how other councils deal with different issues according to their particular circumstances.
Some highlights were:

 Fireworks ban – Kaipara voted no to the remit for a ban on all fireworks sales to the public. However 67 per cent voted for this, so it passed.

 Berm parking – Kaipara voted against a ban on berm parking, proposed by Auckland Council. 71 percent, including Kaipara, voted against this, so the remit failed.

 Museums and Galleries – Kaipara voted for a remit that museums and galleries with nationally significant collections should receive funding from central government. This remit passed with a 91 per cent vote.

Mayor Smith noted that the conference tabled a total of 24 remits to be decided upon. Normally there are fewer than ten, showing an upswing in Local Government activity.

Mayor Jason Smith, Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock, and Anna Curnow represent Kaipara at the LGNZ conference.