Source: BusinessNZ
With two weeks until nominations open for this year’s local authority elections, the Local Government Business Forum is encouraging strong candidates to stand for election.
“Given the importance of local government to New Zealand, it is essential that councils are well-governed,” Forum Chair Matt Cowley said.
“Council decisions on spending, rating and regulation are incredibly influential in determining the quality of the business environment. It is essential that mayors and councillors have a good understanding of the issues facing businesses and how councils can help rather than hinder them.”
The Local Government Business Forum is calling for council candidates who have a good mix of the following attributes:
1. Commercial and financial acumen with focus on efficient council operation
2. Focus on efficient and effective provision of core infrastructure and services
3. Pro-growth and pro-development mindset, understanding of local economic drivers
4. Evidence-based decision making, with respect for property rights and regulatory certainty
5. Collaborative and constructive leadership and engagement
6. Supportive of transparent, accountable governance
7. Solutions-based attitude to reforms to get the best results for their residents and ratepayers
“We need strong candidates to put their names forward. We also need the business community and residents to be informed and vote for candidates that can provide the leadership needed. Attention should be paid to the voting record and actions of current mayors and councillors.
“Local government touches every business and every member of society every day. We need good people governing them,” Mr Cowley said.
Candidate nomination forms for the 2025 local authority elections will be available from councils. Nominations open on 4 July and close on 1 August. Voting papers will be delivered to electors from 9 September and voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October.
About the Local Government Business Forum
The Local Government Business Forum comprises organisations that have a vital interest in the activities of local government. Its members include Business New Zealand, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, New Zealand Forest Owners Association, Infrastructure New Zealand, New Zealand Initiative, New Zealand Business Chamber, and the Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand. It was established in 1994 to promote greater efficiency in local government and to contribute to debate on policy issues affecting it.
The Forum’s members are each significant representatives of ratepayers in their own right but the Forum’s perspective is to advance community welfare through the advocacy of sound public policy. We believe that local government can best serve the interests of the community and ratepayers by focusing on the efficient provision of public goods at a local level.
The Local Government Forum advocates policies that create a positive economic environment. Recognising the significant role of local government in private investment decisions, the Forum regularly produces publications addressing crucial issues relating to the performance of local government and legislative developments in that sector.
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
