Masterton District Council has welcomed the Department of Internal Affairs' release of local government performance metrics as a step forward in public transparency.

The new metrics, sourced from council annual reports, annual plans, and long-term plans, which are available at dia.govt.nz, provide residents with standardised data to compare councils across New Zealand for the first time.

Mayor Gary Caffell said the initiative aligns perfectly with Council's commitment to open and transparent governance.

"We've always believed our ratepayers deserve clear information about how their council operates and how their rates are being used," Mayor Caffell said. “That is what guides us when we put together these key documents which are always publicly available.

This new system gives everyone access to the same data and helps build trust between councils and communities across the country."

The metrics cover key areas including financial performance, service delivery, and governance practices. Mayor Caffell noted that while the data provides valuable insights, every council operates in its own unique environment.

“Here in Masterton, we serve a district of 2,300 square kilometres with a population of 28,200 people spread across urban and rural areas,” said Chief Executive, Kym Fell. “Our priorities and challenges look different from councils in high-growth cities or tourism hotspots, and that's reflected in our spending and service delivery decisions."

The metrics represent the beginning of an expanded data programme that will develop over time.

"This first release establishes the baseline for ongoing performance reporting. We're looking forward to seeing how the metrics evolve to provide even more meaningful insights for our community.”

The DIA has grouped councils with similar characteristics for comparison purposes. However, Kym Fell emphasised that even councils within the same group face different operating environments.

"Factors like population density, tourism levels, natural disaster recovery, asset age, and growth pressures all influence how councils deliver services and manage finances. What works for one community might not work for another, and that's exactly as it should be."

Mayor Caffell said the Council's approach reflected the district's character and community expectations.

"We're a provincial council serving a community that values practical, no-nonsense governance. Our residents want good roads, reliable water, effective waste collection, and strong community facilities delivered efficiently. The metrics show how we're tracking on those priorities."

The performance data reveals Masterton District Council manages a diverse range of assets and services across one of the region's largest geographical areas, with careful attention to long-term financial sustainability.

"Transparency isn't just about releasing data – it's about helping our community understand the decisions we make and why we make them," Mayor Caffell said. "These metrics add another layer to that conversation, and we welcome that."

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