The annual professional development event for those who are responsible for, or who work in, the mission-critical rating function.
- 01 Nov 2023-02 Nov 2023
- 09:00 - 17:00
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- James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, New Zealand
- 950.00 (plus GST) Members
- 1,100.00 (plus GST) Non Members
About this event
This forum is for those who work in, or need to know about, the mission critical field of funding and rating.
As always, the forum is an exciting blend of theoretical and practical presentations that mix the policy and practice of funding and rating.
This year’s forum opens with some reflections on the funding (and other relevant bits) of the Future for Local Government, with a focus on the gamechangers.
This year we feature two case studies of council’s thinking outside the box. Tauranga City Council has established the first working scheme under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2021, hear how it got this up and running and what this meant for the rating function. Auckland Council will likewise share how it approached the development and judicial defence of the targeted rate on accommodation providers (and what happens next).
Elizabeth Hughes will present some tips and tricks for communications and rates to get the creative urges flowing ahead of the coming LTP.
And, of course, there’s the annual updates on legal and valuation matters coupled with the usual information sharing sessions to discuss the real bread and butter issues that you face as funding and rating practitioners. As well as the more usual collection, valuation, non-rateability, remission issues this year we have a session on the art of the ‘nudge’ in the rating function.
Note: Claiming CPD Credits
Delegates at this Forum who are members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) may be able to claim credits towards meeting their Continuing Professional Development requirements. Delegates wishing to pursue this should provide CA ANZ with the forum’s outline and confirmation – which we can supply, of their attendance.
Day One
8:45 am Registration and tea and coffee on arrival
9.15am Mihi whakatau
9.30am Welcome to the forum
Forum Chair
9.40am The Future for Local Government report
Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
Where had the panel landed? What’s good and what’s missing? What can the sector operationalise on its own.
10.40am A word from our sponsor: ibis Information Systems
Ian Butler, Sales and Commercial Manager, Ibis Information Systems Jamie Cunningham, Systems and Implementation Consultant Ibis Information Systems
11.00am Morning Tea
11.20am New Zealand’s First Working Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Scheme
Frazer Smith, Manager Strategic Finance and Growth Tauranga City Council
The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act was intended to provide an alternative source for project finance for critical infrastructure. This session deals with the first scheme to complete the necessary community, technical and political processes including how it was got off the ground how it operates and the implications for the rating system.
This scheme was one of the entries in the 2023 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.
12.05am Communicating the value from rates
Elizabeth Hughes, Managing Director, Elizabeth Hughes Consulting
Sage advice on communications and rating matters – practical tips for LTP and revenue and financing policy year!
12.50am Lunch
1.30pm Marketplace of Information Session One
Optional discussion groups – choose from:
- Behavioural insights and rates – session led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
- Rating of Māori Land – session led by Fiona Scragg. Revenue Team Leader, Gisborne District Council
- Collection and enforcement – session led by Toni Wilkinson, Revenue Manager, Taupō District Council
2.30pm Marketplace of Information: Session Two
Choose another from the options presented at 1.30pm
3.30pm Afternoon tea
3.50pm Legal update
Jonathan Salter, Special Counsel and Matthew Hill, Senior Associate
The annual update on statute and case law, with a focus on the rating function.
4.45pm A word from Our sponsor - LGFA
Representatives from the Local Government Funding Agency
4.55pm Summing up
5.00pm Drinks
Day Two
8.45am Welcome to day two
8.50am Is the Rating Valuations Act past its use by date – a user perspective
Jim Taylor, Manager Rating Policy and Revenue, Tauranga City Council
An update on the Tauranga City Council led review of the RVA
9.45am Valuation update
Neill Sullivan, Valuer-General, Land Information New Zealand
The annual update on developments in our tax base.
10.40am Morning tea
11.00am Marketplace of Information: Session Three
Optional discussion groups - choose from:
- Valuation and land information – session led by Jim Taylor, Manager Rating Policy and Revenue, Tauranga City Council
- Non-rateability and remission issues – session led by Fiona Scragg. Revenue Team Leader, Gisborne District Council
- Training for the rating profession: What Do We Need – session led by Sheryl Bryant, Workforce Development Manager, Taituarā
12.00pm Marketplace of Information: Session Four
Choose another option from the three listed under the 11.00am sessions.
12.55pm Lunch
1.40pm Taituarā update
Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
The annual update on all that’s happening in the legal and policy environments, Taituarā, and its good work for and on behalf of the sector.
2.10pm A case study: the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate
Andrew Duncan, Manager Financial Policy, Auckland Council
And to finish a case study on the introduction of the APTR rate and what happens next?
3.00pm Summing up and close of event
Presenters
Raymond Horan
Chief Advisor, Taituarā Read ProfileRaymond Horan
Chief Advisor, Taituarā- raymond.horan@taituara.org.nz
Raymond re-joined Taituarā in June 2014 as Sector Improvement Manager, before commencing his current role as Chief Advisor at Taituarā. He has spent most of the last 20 years in local government related roles, most recently with the Department of Internal Affairs.
He describes his job as two-thirds providing assistance to the local government sector and one-third providing advice to central government on local government matters. His ambition is to help develop a Local Government Act that doesn’t require changes every 18 months. He asks that you wish him well with this task.
Jamie Cunningham
Systems and Implementation Consultant Ibis Information Systems Read ProfileJamie Cunningham
Systems and Implementation Consultant Ibis Information SystemsOriginally a debt collector from Glasgow, Jamie pursued a career in credit management and business analysis in London between 1999 and 2004. After London he moved to New Zealand and spent three years in Auckland working as a commercial manager in the newspaper advertising industry. Since then Jamie has worked for Environment Southland, Southland District Council and Central Otago District Council providing support for rating teams as well as detailed financial modelling and analysis for targeted rates and financial plans.
Frazer Smith
Project Finance Manager Read ProfileFrazer Smith
Project Finance ManagerFrazer Smith has been working in Local government finance for over 25 years.
He has had experience across all facets of Local Government financing including budgeting, accounting, asset management and rating.
In particular he has been involved with the funding of expenditure through Development Contributions and other forms of central government funding.
Most recently he has been involved with the first successful Infrastructure Funding and Financing Scheme (and working on the third).
Elizabeth Hughes
Elizabeth Hughes Strategy & Communication Read ProfileElizabeth Hughes
Elizabeth Hughes Strategy & CommunicationElizabeth’s career spans 35 years in the local government sector including Hamilton City, Tauranga City and Waikato Regional councils. She also spent six years as communication and strategy leader for Local Government New Zealand. Her qualifications include a degree in resource management and a post- graduate diploma in communication.
She is passionate about local democracy and engagement with local communities.
For the past 10 years Elizabeth has run her own business working with elected members and council managers as a facilitator and consultant advisor around strategic change, communication and engagement and crisis management. She is also a columnist for the LG News magazine - providing fresh insights and/or practical advice on local government issues.
Fiona Scragg
Team Leader Revenue Read ProfileFiona Scragg
Team Leader RevenueI have worked in the Local Government Rating for 30 years. I am Team Leader at the Gisborne District Council. Our team of eight provides policy, reporting, rating valuations, information, remissions, invoicing, and revenue collection services to our community. It is important to me that provincial New Zealand is represented and have a voice in changes to rating legislation. I was previously Chairperson of Association of Local Government Rating New Zealand for 6 years.
I am passionate about Rating and like to see rating people from throughout the country work together for good results for our Councils and communities.
Toni Wilkinson
Revenue Manager, Taupō District Council Read ProfileToni Wilkinson
Revenue Manager, Taupō District CouncilToni has worked in the rating sector for 19 years mainly in Taupo but also in Tauranga. She says the complexities of rating, the challenges of legislation and the persistent quest by ratepayers to test their liabilities has made for an interesting and diverse career.
Jim Taylor
Transactional Services Manager Read ProfileJim Taylor
Transactional Services ManagerJim Taylor Revenue Manager Tauranga City Council. Jim has worked in local government for 15 years. Prior to this, he was 3 years in Telecoms wholesale market and 7 years with TrustPower as billing Manager. Jim is passionate about customer service and collaborating with central/ local government, and external organisations, to provide the services that our customers expect. Jim recently led a rating amendment review in Tauranga, introducing new differentials and targeted rates.
Neill Sullivan
Valuer-General, Land Information New Zealand Read ProfileNeill Sullivan
Valuer-General, Land Information New ZealandNeill Sullivan has been the Valuer-General in New Zealand since 2004 and is responsible for regulation and stewardship of the rating valuations system including certification of all revaluations. He is primarily responsible for ensuring Ratepayer confidence in the accuracy of the values assessed for taxing purposes. The current rating valuation system is now 20 years old and has been the subject of some high level review in recent times. Neill will speak today about some of the challenges facing the system and other topical rating valuation issues.
Sheryl Bryant
Manager Workforce Leadership Read ProfileSheryl Bryant
Manager Workforce Leadership- sheryl.bryant@taituara.org.nz
Andrew Duncan
Manager Financial Policy, Strategy and Planning, Auckland Council Read ProfileAndrew Duncan
Manager Financial Policy, Strategy and Planning, Auckland CouncilAndrew Duncan is the Manager Financial Policy for Auckland Council responsible for advising elected members on rates and development contributions. Andrew advised the council on the standardisation of the rating policies of the seven former councils following their amalgamation into Auckland Council in 2010. He previously worked for Manukau City Council, now a part of Auckland Council, advising on the establishment of the city’s water operations as a council owned company. Prior to this Andrew worked in central government in the health sector and advising on the establishment and regulation of state-owned enterprises