New local govt legislation focuses on core activities, law purged of references to ‘four well-beings’

A new bill will force councils to focus on core responsibilities such as roading, water and rubbish to ensure more disciplined spending, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.

Watts said the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, would make councils deliver better value for ratepayers.

“Kiwis are frustrated with rising rates, expanding bureaucracy and poor value for money. This bill puts councils back to work on the basics, their core services, so ratepayers see real results for what they pay,” he said.

The bill removes references to councils promoting the so-call “four well-beings” – social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being.

According to data from the Auditor-General, the four well-beings were included in the Local Government Act 2002 by Labour, then removed in 2012 under National Prime Minister John Key, before being restored in 2019 under Labour’s Jacinda Ardern.

They are now being purged for a second time.