LGNZ Rural and Provincial Sector Speech - Hon Nanaia Mahuta

Introduction

  • Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.
  • This is the first opportunity I’ve had to speak to an LGNZ meeting since the local elections, and I’m delighted to see the fresh faces of newly elected mayors.
  • To returning mayors here today, as well as chief executives, thank you for the commitment and dedication you’ve shown towards your communities throughout the year.
  • As you’ll be aware, I have a busy programme of work in the local government space, and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank you and your councils for your input into the various workstreams.
  • That input, and our ongoing conversation, are essential and invaluable as we seek to ensure the responsiveness of local government to the wellbeing of communities now and into the future.
  • Today I’d like to take stock of where we’re at and where we’re going with some of my key priorities in the local government portfolio. I’ll also touch on work underway in my Associate Environment portfolio.
  • Later today, you’ll also hear from my ministerial colleagues the Hon David Parker, Hon Damien O’Conner, and Hon Eugenie Sage about their priorities and connections to local government and the rural and provincial sectors.
  • I trust this will provide an insightful overview of the range of cross-government initiatives relevant to local government.
  • But first, let me update you on a programme of key importance to local and central government – the Three Waters Review.  Read more
Council Drinking Water Government Havelock North Regulator Water Reform