Summarised by Centrist
Nick Clark’s NZ Initiative report Making Local Government Work, aims to address growing dysfunction within several New Zealand councils.
Examples of this dysfunction include Wellington City Council’s requirement for a Crown Observer due to rising internal conflicts, Carterton District Council’s attempt to exclude an elected representative, and issues in Waitomo and Gore Districts stemming from governance failures and poor leadership.
To tackle these challenges, Clark proposes five key reforms aimed at enhancing local government accountability, transparency, and decision-making.
First, he suggests holding referenda on major local projects, giving voters a direct role in decisions that affect their communities. He also advocates for better access to information for mayors and councillors, with mandatory responses to questions within five days, ensuring they have the data needed to make informed choices.
Clark further proposes extending the Auckland model, which grants mayors an independent office separate from the CEO, to other councils. He also calls for expanding the powers of mayors and councillors to improve governance, akin to company board members’ authority.
Finally, Clark recommends adopting a ‘Strong Mayor’ system, where mayors hold both leadership and operational powers, similar to governance models in Germany and London, to strengthen mayoral control in larger cities.
