Horizons Region leaders progress talks after central government’s reform announcement

Local government leaders from the Horizons Region are working collaboratively to ensure proposed local government reform delivers for their communities.

Mayors of all city and district councils in the region, along with Horizons Regional Council’s chair, met as a Mayoral Forum again this week to discuss how Simplifying Local Government conversations are going with each council and their communities, as well as work that’s been completed to help to inform decision-making.

“The forum remains committed to simplification and working together through this process to find a solution that best serves the region’s communities,” says Mayoral Forum chair, Horowhenua District Council mayor Bernie Wanden.

“Part of this commitment has been commissioning an independent report by Morrison Low Advisory to assess a single unitary model for the region. The purpose of this report was to develop a shared regional picture of what a Horizons Unitary Council could look like, test how it aligns with the Government’s five assessment criteria, and provide a common evidence base that individual councils can use to inform their own considerations.

“The report is intended to support consistent understanding across the region, rather than to advocate for any particular outcome. Overall, it provides councils with crucial information for comparing amalgamation options as each individual council makes its own decision about what is best for their community.”

In addition to the single unitary model assessment, Horizons Regional Council has completed a series of district information packages, also designed to assist councils and communities in their discussions about local government reform.

Horizons chair Nikki Riley says the packages break down Horizons’ functions district-by-district, helping to explain what activities Horizons delivers, how they are paid for, and important points to consider about each activity in the context of local government reform.

“While Horizons cannot make amalgamation proposals under central government’s Head Start framework, we have actively worked to enable and inform discussions between city and district councils in our region. We want to be a helpful partner throughout the Simplifying Local Government programme.

“These information packages provide key information for each district to incorporate into any Head Start proposals, including how rates are collected for each activity, where those funds are spent and activity is undertaken, and benefits one district may receive from work done in another.”

The importance of regional function delivery, and the complexity underlying it, are common threads through each package, says Cr Riley.

“The packages clearly show the links between urban and rural environments, and the top and bottom of river catchments. These are important links to consider, given central government’s clear directive that effective delivery of regional functions such as transport and catchment management must be considered through the reform process.

“Flood management is a key example when it comes to catchment management. The decisions made at the top of catchments about flood management assets – be they retention dams, floodgates, stopbanks, pump stations or otherwise - directly influence how water flows through the rest of a catchment and the impact felt by communities. 

“Rates collected from urban areas are commonly used for work in rural areas, with the work ultimately benefitting both communities. The Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) – which aims to reduce erosion, protect soil conservation and encourage sustainable use of land resources – is a clear example of this.

“The same can be said of the collection of environmental data, construction of flood protection, combatting of biodiversity and biosecurity threats, and delivery of a plethora of other activities. Strong regional delivery must be kept front of mind if our region’s communities are to realise maximum benefit from local government reform.” 

Local government reform needs to set our country up for success as we build climate resilience, care for our air, land and freshwater environments, plan and deliver transport projects, and prepare for and respond to emergencies, says Cr Riley.

“Having a well-informed reform process which delivers long-lasting positive results is in the best interests of everyone in the Horizons Region. These district information packages show the kind of practical experience Horizons brings as our region moves into the future of local government structure and delivery.”

Mayor Bernie says the forum was really appreciative of the information received from Morrison Low Advisory and Horizons Regional Council.

“The report and packages mean local councils can make informed decisions at a crucial time for local government. The forum will reconvene in early August once all councils have confirmed their position on the Head Start process and intend to provide an update to the Government following this for 9 August."