Insights
Paying for growth
There is an urgent need to reform housing funding by sharing GST on new builds with local councils to incentivise growth and improve housing affordability.
Local government
Quadrant
A local rescue plan for democracy
A New Zealand councillor’s exclusion from budget discussions highlights bureaucratic dominance over elected officials, revealing a disconnect between citizens and government, and the urgent need to strengthen local democracy for improved governance.
Insights
German solution for New Zealand’s local government woes
Wellington’s governance struggles highlight misconceptions about mayoral power, suggesting New Zealand should adopt NRW’s reforms to enhance accountability and effectiveness in local democracy.
Insights
Localism or centralism?
The government’s commitment to localism would be better served by focusing on collaborative solutions rather than forced amalgamation.
The Australian
How Wellington has become a NZ tragicomedy
Despite abundant rainfall, Wellington faces a water crisis. Failed infrastructure, political leanings, and misplaced investments all contribute to the problem. Still, you can’t beat it on a good day.
National Business Review
Queenstown’s visitor levy a cry for reform
Ultimately, reforming local government finance would be in central government’s interest, too. Queenstown Lakes District council probably holds little hope for such reforms to happen anytime soon.
Insights
As Kiwi as pavlova
In our #localismNZ report we call for a radical shift of power from the centre to the people.
Insights
Project Localism
The chances for decentralisation have never been better.
National Business Review
On the path to localism
Having campaigned for localism over the past six years, I am excited about the shift politics toward it. But now I want to see this great idea filled with life and practical recommendations.
National Business Review
Challenges stack up for super minister
There is no more challenging task than making New Zealand’s cities thrive in the global era of urbanisation. Quite appropriately, we now have a superminister to deal with it.