Submissions

Taituarā urges the Finance & Expenditure Committee to establish a well-funded, equitable Climate Adaptation Fund, support research, planning, workforce, land acquisition, and Māori-led local adaptation, with a 100-year horizon.

Taituarā supports the Privacy Amendment Bill’s intent to protect personal data but urges broad exemptions so local authorities can continue essential functions efficiently without undue compliance burdens.

Taituarā, NZ’s leading local government network, opposes the Marine Farming Bill, citing the current RMA framework as effective, warning it risks poor consents, unfunded mandates, and stifled innovation.

Taituarā supports significantly raising NZ’s International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, arguing $100 is reasonable, will fund infrastructure, and have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

Taituarā proposes streamlining local government legislation by reducing compliance burdens: repealing cost-effectiveness reviews, simplifying Chief Executive contracts, removing remuneration policy powers, and easing reporting requirements.

Taituarā urges Māori wards be decided by councils with community input, opposes higher poll requirements for Māori representation, supports exemptions for certain councils, and advocates improved election timing and online voting options.

Taituarā outlines proposals for economic regulation of all water services under Local Water Done Well, advocating transparency, sustainability, and efficiency, with regulation via the Commerce Commission.

Taituarā supports the Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill, noting it protects CCO directors’ home addresses from misuse, enhancing safety while promoting transparency and good governance.

Taituarā and LGNZ support the Fast-Track Approvals Bill to speed significant projects but urge robust criteria, environmental safeguards, longer consultation, transparency, and monitoring to ensure quality, sustainable outcomes.

Taituarā welcomes the Draft GPS 2024-34, stressing long-term planning, integrated 30-year infrastructure and investment strategies, climate mitigation, EV transition, housing risk management, resilience, safety, and whole-of-life value for sustainable, equitable transport outcomes.

Taituarā urges MPI to collect its own fees, keep current local authority oversight, avoid extra regulation, ensure accurate cost recovery if councils collect levies, and leave enforcement to MPI.

Taituarā says MBIE should focus on education, guidance, BCA engagement, and a national product register. Principles alone won’t clarify minor variations; clear definitions, training, and documentation are key.