While the panel will have a few years to come up with a final report on the system, local bodies nationwide are grappling with crumbling infrastructure, rising building consents and implementing regulations like Essential Freshwater.
In the primary industries there isn’t a lot of love for local government – an allergy to regulation that’s baked into the sector drives much of that resentment.
But a review gives rural communities the chance to perhaps help shape a new framework that addresses shortcomings and builds on strengths.
Society’s plumbing still has to be maintained and communities still have to create places that attract people to work and play.
It’s been apparent for some time that the current model needs a few tweaks.
Now’s the time to make it work better for everyone who, let’s not forget, pay the rates.
Bryan Gibson
Tool to guide farmers on intensive winter grazing
The Government has released an online tool to help farmers meet intensive winter grazing (IWG) rules.
From gee whiz to must-have
Farmers are being inundated by ‘gee whiz’ technology, as the Internet of Things (IoT) takes over data capture on-farm. An AgResearch study identifies the power of this emerging tech as it is integrated for making grassland farming more sustainable.
Biggest local Govt shake-up looms
The Government is adding a fundamental overhaul of local government to its growing list of major reforms.
Fruit-picking subsidy fails to draw Kiwis
The Government’s Seasonal Work Scheme (SWS) subsidising jobseekers has lured just 195 new fruit pickers to move to where work is.
Carbon prices recover after inaugural auction
New Zealand carbon prices are recovering following the inaugural NZ Units (NZU) auction, with a closing price last Friday of $37.60 on Jarden’s CommTrade and $37.43 on competitor platform Carbon Match.