The Waitaki District Council has broadly welcomed the publication of He piki tūranga, he piki kōtuku The Future for Local Government report.

The council has been working with The Future for Local Government review panel for more than two years, to help shape the recommendations in the report so they work for Waitaki  communities.

The report proposes 17 recommendations to enable local government to better serve communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said he welcomed the publication of the report.

“Change is needed in the way local government works and how the whole system of government works if we are going to serve communities well, take advantage of the opportunities that exist, and deal with the challenges. This report recognises this,” he said.

“Local government is constrained in many ways in what it can do to further the interests of communities, and mayors and councillors up and down the country are frustrated at not being able to act fully on the things that are important to our districts and residents.”

Laws and responsibilities are imposed by the Government without the funding to go with it, and the financial system of rates is no longer fit for purpose to deliver community needs, Gary said.

“Too much is controlled in Wellington, when communities should be trusted to manage and deliver things themselves.”

While he does not expect to agree with every recommendation in the comprehensive report, he said it represents a necessary step forward in making sure local government serves communities and the country better. 

He has not had time yet to fully look at a proposal to re-organise councils, and what that might mean for the Waitaki, but is prepared to keep an open mind.

“With potential amalgamations we will be looking at whether this produces any benefit to the people of Waitaki and how any proposals will ensure this new system of local government is genuinely local and connected to the people and communities it is there to serve.”

The council will now look at the findings and recommendations in the report and consider how the recommendations it supports can be taken forward. This will include working with other councils in Otago and Canterbury over potential changes local government can help drive forward together.