Local government leaders from across the Horizons Region have signalled support for a simpler and more effective system of local governance.
The mayors of all city and district councils in the region, together with Horizons Regional Council chair Nikki Riley, met for the first mayoral forum of the new triennium on Monday.
The forum, which has been in place for many years, provides a platform for regional leaders to work together on shared issues while recognising local differences.
Horowhenua District Council mayor Bernie Wanden, who chairs the mayoral forum, said the forum allows the Horizons Region to “speak with one voice on common issues” while ensuring local differences are understood and respected.
Wanden said the agenda focused on recent announcements about proposed regional governance arrangements and the development of a Regional Reorganisation Plan.
“All mayors and the Horizons’ chair are united in our view that change is needed, and we are open to exploring new ways of working to deliver better outcomes for our communities and the region as a whole.
“We are keen to understand more about what the impact of these changes means for our communities. We cannot stress enough the importance of working with government around the details of what the reforms mean at a local level.”
The Government announced plans last week to replace elected regional councillors with mayoral-led panels. Under the plans, district and city mayors would form a Combined Territories Board (CTB) to govern regional council functions and design a reorganisation plan within two years of being established.
Wanden said any reform must balance innovation and collaboration with principles that matter most to residents, including protecting local voice and democratic legitimacy, maintaining quality services and community outcomes, driving affordability and efficiencies, ensuring equity and fairness in costs and service delivery, strengthening partnerships with Māori, and designing long-term, future-fit solutions to deliver council functions.
Mayors, the Horizons’ chair, and the chief executives of all councils in the region plan to work collaboratively with central government, tangata whenua and the wider community to deliver sustainable solutions that reflect regional priorities, Wanden said.
Riley said a unified voice for the region would be crucial to create benefits for all districts.
“While each district is unique, if the proposal becomes reality we will all need to work together to ensure the Regional Reorganisation Plan realises maximum benefits for everyone,” she said.
“Coming together now will ensure we are in the best possible position to make any possible benefits a reality.”
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
For more of our people, our stories, our way, click News or follow us on Facebook.
