See also...Local Government Act 2002
The purpose of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002) is to “provide for democratic and effective local government that recognises the diversity of New Zealand communities”. The Act provides the general framework and powers under which New Zealand’s 85 local authorities - regional, district and city councils - operate.
| “The Act encourages a ‘whole of community’ approach involving all of those capable of having an impact on the community’s future direction” (Realising the potential of the community outcomes process McKinlay, 2004 p.13) |
The LGA 2002 replaced the Local Government Act 1974, changing the way local government works in New Zealand. Instead of defining certain activities e.g. collecting rubbish, the LGA 2002 emphasises the importance of communities and gives local authorities the power to play a leading role in promoting the well-being and sustainable development of their communities.
Section 10 of the Act defines the purpose of local government, which is |
Achieving community well-being requires effective, responsible and accountable local government.
The Act promotes engagement with local communities and responsiveness to their wishes through community outcomes processes and the long-term council community plan (LTCCP).
- Community outcomes processes identify what the community thinks is important for its future well-being - community outcomes are used to guide local authority plans and activities.
- The LTCCP is the key planning document. It describes all local authority activities, how the local authority pays for them, and how the activities contribute to community well-being.
The LGA 2002 strongly encourages local authorities to promote well-being by working in partnership with other local authorities, central government, and the local community.
Back to topAn important aspect of the LGA 2002 is that local authorities must take a sustainable development approach to promoting community well-being. That is, local authorities must consider the needs and expectations of future generations when making decisions.
To do this, local authorities must take into account all four dimensions of well-being – social, environmental, economic and cultural. Sustainable development will not be achieved if local authorities consider only one or two of the four dimensions. Sustainable development is therefore both an approach to decision-making and an ideal outcome.
(Source: KnowHow Guide – Local Government Act 2002: an Overview. LGNZ, SOLGM, DIA, 2003. p15)Community outcomes are what New Zealanders want for their local community, now and in the future.
Under section 5 of the Act, community outcomes |
The LGA 2002 emphasises the importance of community participation in local decision-making. The LGA 2002 strengthens community participation by establishing community outcomes processes, which ensure that community aspirations are understood and can be used to guide and inform the activities of organisations in the community.
The LGA 2002 requires local authorities to lead community outcomes processes in their area. The processes include helping the community to identify what it thinks is most important to its future well-being – their community outcomes.
Under section 91 of the Act the purpose of identifying community outcomes is:
|
Under the LGA 2002, local authorities may decide for themselves the best way to carry out community outcomes processes, so long as
- the public is encouraged to participate
- the local authority identifies other organisations that are capable of contributing to community outcomes processes
- the local authority secures the agreement of these organisations in the processes, if practicable.
Local authorities are required by section 93 of the LGA 2002 to have a long-term council community plan (LTCCP). The LTCCP explains what the community outcomes are for that area, and how the community is working towards achieving them.
Under schedule 10 of the Act, the long-term council community plan:
|
The LTCCP is the key local authority planning document. The plan links what the local authority does with what local people see as important for their future well-being.
Read more about the LTCCP.
Local authorities have the responsibility for monitoring the community’s progress towards community outcomes. This must be reported back to the community, at least every three years.
The LGA 2002 sends strong signals that central government agencies should become involved in the community outcomes process. The activities of central government agencies contribute to achieving community outcomes, although central government has no prescribed role in the community outcomes process under the Act. The intention of the LGA 2002 is that central government agencies will support and work with local authorities to achieve community outcomes.
Read more about central and local government working together to achieve community outcomes.
Back to top- Link to the Local Government Act 2002 from the www.legislation.govt.nz website
- A more detailed overview of the Local Government Act can be found on the www.localcouncils.govt.nz website
- Legislative review of the Local Government Act 2002
- Other legislation local authorities operate under can be found on the www.localcouncils.govt.nz website
- All New Zealand Acts, Bills, and Regulations can be downloaded free of charge at
www.legislation.govt.nz
