Ashburton council ‘finds value’ in LGNZ

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Ashburton has no plans to ditch its membership to Local Government NZ after a councillor raised questions about its benefits.

Local Government NZ represents councils around New Zealand, but some major regions have cut their membership including Christchurch and Auckland councils.

Following reports on attending the recent Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference in Wellington from councillors Carolyn Cameron and Richard Wilson, councillor Tony Todd (pictured) put it to his fellow councillors if Ashburton needed to remain a member of LGNZ.

“In my experience is that LGNZ seems to be a rather left-leaning organisation,” Todd said last week.

“I start thinking to myself with Auckland pulling out, Christchurch pulling out, and one or two other councils, do we get benefit in belonging to this organisation?”

In his report, Wilson said the conferences are an “opportunity to understand other councils’ issues and learn how they are solving them”.

He also noted that “LGNZ appears to have political views which are at odds with the coalition Government” – which is the statement that triggered Todd’s question.

In response to Todd's question on membership, Wilson said his only concern was that LGNZ was missing the voice of about 2 million people after Auckland and Christchurch pulled out.

The conference provided an opportunity to talk to other councillors and to speak to the decision-makers from various Government organisations and ministries that attend.

“It is quite a lot to us, as a small council, because we can be one voice talking to the biggest brains in the land.”

Mayor Neil Brown said the annual conferences were “enlightening” as the interaction and conversations with other councils are beneficial.
“I find it very valuable.”

Chief executive Hamish Riach said you risk becoming quite insular by not being a member of an industry organisation.

“You don’t see anyone to challenge you or give you new ideas.

“There is certainly value in conversations with colleagues to help you think about things a little differently.”

The annual conference is one part of the paid membership, with quarterly zone meetings, training opportunities, and updates on central and local government changes, Riach said.

“If we weren’t a member, I think we would have less information and less understanding of where [central] Government and local government is placed.”

Todd was “more than happy with the answers” provided in response to his question.

“I just had to ask the question,” he said.