PM recognises importance of local government

Local and central government elected members and officials, the Prime Minister, overseas experts in the field of local government and key stakeholders came together for the opening of Local Government New Zealand’s annual conference in Wellington today.

The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, officially opened the conference this morning, the 7th time she has performed this task as Prime Minister.

In her opening speech she acknowledged the importance of the working relationship between central and local government. She also recognised the critical role councils have in engaging with many stakeholders, including central government, to reach their desired community outcomes.

“The theme of this year’s conference, Leading Communities, focuses on councils as community leaders, drawing on examples of best practice from within New Zealand and the international stage,” says Local Government New Zealand’s President Basil Morrison.

“Local Government New Zealand has brought together a programme of top-rate speakers to address some of the issues unique to the roles and responsibilities of councils. They have been tasked with challenging our sector to think about the big issues and identify opportunities for councils to build on their profiles as community leaders,” he says.

The conference, which will be attended by a number of Cabinet Ministers, including Local Government Minister, Hon Mark Burton, Dr Don Brash, Leader of the Opposition, and experts in the field of local government, will run today and tomorrow.

Over 600 delegates have registered for the conference including representatives from most councils, private sector leaders and other stakeholders with an interest in the local government sector.

For further details and information about the conference please see the attached programme or visit www.lgnz.co.nz.

The website will be kept up-to-date during the conference with daily media releases and presentations from the conference.

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