Managing for the Big Issues – Briefing for Hon. Simon Watts
Taituarā supports Hon. Simon Watts as Minister for Local Government, advocating strong central-local partnerships, fair funding, climate adaptation, and community-focused, Te Tiriti-led reform.
The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Taituarā does not support the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, which would create legal uncertainty, increase costs, and strain relationships between local authorities and Māori.
Proposed definitions for “Reasonably Practicable” in the context of resource management
Taituarā recommends consistent definitions of “reasonably practicable” to improve clarity, reduce ambiguity, and support efficient, effective implementation of resource management legislation.
Legislators Gonna Legislate
Taituarā is an apolitical society of 1000+ local government leaders, supporting professional management, effective regulation, and strong central-local engagement for better outcomes.
In respect of Testing our Thinking: Te whakapātaritari I ō mātou whakaaro
Taituarā urges NZ to address infrastructure resilience, funding, skills, governance, Māori perspectives, workforce development, asset management, and fair pricing, ensuring long-term, community-focused planning.
Consultation on Increasing the use of Remote Inspections in the Building Consent Process
Taituarā urges MBIE to prioritise in-person inspections by default, ensure robust governance for remote inspections, limit conflicts of interest with Accredited Organisations, and strengthen penalties, training, and workforce planning.
Consultation on the Proposed Regulations for Natural Hazard Information in LIMS
Taituarā urges clearer, consistent LIM rules, defined quality thresholds, council certainty, guidance, and climate-change alignment to ensure reliable, up-to-date natural hazard info.
Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
Taituarā submits on the Building (Earthquake-prone Building) Amendment Bill, urging targeted EPB extensions for high-risk areas, fair cost recovery for councils, and maintaining pool inspections to protect safety.
Making it Easier to Build Granny Flats: options paper consultation
Taituarā submits on MBIE’s granny flat options, urging clear two-pathway consent, strengthened LBP oversight, enforceable development contributions, hazard-aware siting, and consistent rules for safe, durable 60m² dwellings.
Rating Valuations Rules Review
Taituarā submits on Rating Valuations Rules Review, urging investment in valuers, guidance for councils, careful use of local knowledge, phased photo capture, and clarity on data access and new registers.
Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
Taituarā, representing 1,000 local government leaders, submits on the RMA Amendment Bill, supporting burden reduction but urging clarity on Te Mana o te Wai, farm plans, SNAs, coal mining, and submission timeframes.
Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill
Taituarā recommends extending service delivery plans to 30 years, clarifying content, forecasting assumptions, customer engagement, GAAP compliance, alternative arrangements, rule-making and review timeframes, stormwater and public notice definitions.
