The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has voted to leave Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), joining several other councils that have cut ties with the national advocacy body.
Critics argued LGNZ had become overly political, lacked professionalism, and failed to represent diverse views, while supporters highlighted its advocacy role, professional development, and mental health support for councillors.
The decision, passed by a narrow six to five vote, follows concerns that LGNZ was not adapting to the new government and was promoting a one-sided, far-left, agenda.
Opponents of the move, including Mayor James Denyer, warned that leaving could weaken the council’s influence and risk losing $180,000 in funding from the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs. Despite these concerns, the council’s membership will officially end on March 31.
Councillor Tracey Coxhead told legacy media that LGNZ needed to be non-partisan and, in her view, presentations at its 2024 conference were “largely, although not entirely, pushing a certain agenda, for example, only one narrative on climate change”.
“LGNZ is ignoring the sentiment of a large proportion of the membership,” she said.
This article was originally published by the Daily Telegraph New Zealand.
