We are a strong advocate for our members, and for the local government sector. We regularly provide input on central and local government policy in the form of feedback on reviews and submissions to select committees.
We also provide day-to-day policy advice to members when required, and publish a member-only Quarterly Briefing.
Submissions lodged in 2023
Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (lodged September 2023) - Submission to the Ministry of Transport regarding the Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Te Tauāki Kaupapa Here a te Kawanatanga mō ngā Waka Whenua.
Building consent system review (lodged August 2023) - Submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on potential options to improve the building consent system.
Safer online services and media platforms (lodged July 2023) - Submission to the Department of Internal Affairs with respect to local elections, campaigning, and social media.
Water Services Entities Amendment Bill (lodged July 2023) - Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on legislation that includes amendments to the original bill in order to increase the number of Water Services Entities from four to 10. Watch the ensuing oral submission.
People thriving in place (lodged March 2023) - The Taituarā response to 'He mata whāriki, he matawhānui' - the Future for Local Government Draft Report published October 2022.
Inquiry into the 2022 Local Elections (lodged February 2023) - Submission to the Justice Committee. An error occurred during the oral submissions which meant the Select Committee's online video recordings were lost. However, you can read a hard copy of our oral submission which was delivered by Dean Heiford, Chair of the Taituarā Elections Reference Group and our Chief Advisor Raymond Horan.
iBusiness Payment Practices Bill (lodged December 2022) - Submission to the Economic Development, Science, and Innovation Committee regarding the Business Payment Practices Bill.
A Fair Chance for All? (lodged November 2022) - Submission to the New Zealand Productivity Commission regarding the interim report A Fair Chance for All?
Electoral (Maori Electoral Option) Legislation Bill submission (lodged 24 July 2022) - This amendment bill proposes to allow Māori voters to switch rolls between rolls at almost any time. The number of electors on the Māori roll is important for determining the boundaries and numbers of Māori electorates. This bill would require the Electoral Commission to provide this information to the Government Statistician whenever a census takes place.
New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy submission (lodged June 2022) - Submission to Te Waihanga | New Zealand Infrastructure Commission in respect to Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy.
Long-Term Insights Briefing (lodged June 2022) - Comments from Taituarā to the Department of Internal Affairs.
Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill submission (lodged 9 June 2022) - This amendment bill would amend the Local Electoral Act 2001 to address concerns around candidate safety by loosening the requirement that candidates attach either their residential or business address to electoral advertising. It would allow email addresses, PO box or phone numbers, or links to an internet page to be used instead.
Transforming recycling submission (lodged May 2022) - Submission to the Ministry for the Environment on the three proposals to (1) establish a container return scheme, (2) make improvements to kerbside recycling, and (3) separate business food waste.
Economic regulation and consumer protection for three waters submission (lodged 17 December 2021). This is the Taituarā submission on how economic regulation and consumer protection for the future three waters system should be designed - a consultation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy (lodged November 2023) - Submission in respect of A New Future for Infrastructure? Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa - the Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy
Emissions Reduction Plan submission (lodged 24 November 2021). This pertains to the Ministry for the Environment consultation in respect to the transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future.
Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy submission (lodged November 2021) - Submission to Te Waihanga | New Zealand Infrastructure Commission in respect to Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy 'A New Future for Infrastructure?'
Changes to Māori ward and constituency processes (August 2021) - Submission of to the Department of Internal Affairs regarding the Changes to Māori ward and constituency processes discussion document.
Building Code Update 2021 submission (lodged on 4 June 2021). This consultation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment proposes to increase energy efficiency in buildings, introduce HVAC requirements, and natural light for high-density housing. There is also a news article introducing the proposed changes here which we published before preparing the submission with our members.
The Climate Change Commission's Draft Advice to the Government submission (lodged on 28 March 2021). This outlines the Climate Change Commission's recommendations for reducing emissions and suggests the direction of policy that Aotearoa New Zealand could take to get there. The Climate Change Commission's finalised advice will be shared with the Government by 31 May 2021.
Water Services Bill 2021. This Bill provides Taumata Arowai with a fleshed out set of regulatory responsibilities and duties, and the powers it needs to fulfil these. An exposure draft of the Taituarā submission is available.
Submissions lodged in 2020
Deaths, Funerals, Burial and Cremation submission (lodged on 30 October 2020). The Ministry of Health consulted on a review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964. The consultation document set out a range of options for modernising the legislation about death certification, regulation of funeral directors, burial and cemetery management, cremations and new methods of body disposal.
Building for Climate Change submission (lodged on 16 October 2020). The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment consulted on reducing emissions from buildings during their construction and operation, while also preparing buildings to withstand changes in the climate.
Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill (lodged on 17 April 2020). The Taituarā Executive Board has approved our submission on the Rating of Whenua Māori Amendment Bill. We
are generally supportive of the Bill’s intent though we consider some
of the proposed solutions need some further refinement.
Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill submission (lodged on 5 March 2020). The Transport Committee continues to meet. Raymond presented to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee on 16 April 2020. It was live streamed and can be viewed on Facebook. Raymond appears about 51 minutes in.
Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Bill (lodged on 4 March 2020). Raymond and Karen presented to the Health Select Committee on 11 March 2020. We support a regulatory body, and most of the submission was to raise concerns that the Bill does not make sufficient provision for the perspectives of the industry in the regulator's governance and engagement perspectives. We anticipate this will be one of the top priorities when Parliament resumes on 28 April 2020.
Inquiry into Elections (lodged 4 March 2020). We submitted to the Justice Committee Inquiry into the 2019 Local Elections. The Chair of the Electoral Committee, Dean Heiford and Raymond appeared at the Committee in June 2020.
Urban Development Bill submission (lodged on 14 February 2020). Raymond presented to the Environment Select Committee on 19 March 2020. It was live streamed and can be viewed on Facebook. Raymond appears around 10 minutes in.
Get in touch
Contact Raymond Horan if you have any questions, or would like to provide input into future submissions.
