Central/local government forum breaks new ground
5 March 2000
Central/local government forum breaks new ground
A new era of co-operation between central and local government will be launched on Tuesday when leaders from the two sectors meet at Premier House in Wellington.
The Forum – Central and Local Government Working Together, would begin charting a fresh relationship for the two sectors, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Local Government New Zealand president Louise Rosson said today.
"The Forum breaks new ground. The aim is to work together to clarify the role and functions of local government and its relationship with central government," Helen Clark and Louise Rosson said.
"Until now there has been no regular opportunity for local government to engage effectively with central government on matters of national policy.
"The Forum will become a regular event and we welcome what will be an opportunity to discuss issues which are of critical interest to both sectors and affect all New Zealanders."
Helen Clark said she had given a commitment to establish the forum in the new Government's first 100 days, as a sign of the high priority being attached to partnership with local and regional government.
"The Government and Local Government New Zealand agree that we need this regular forum to identify policy issues which need debate and further work. This process gets under way on Tuesday," Helen Clark said.
Contacts:
Carol Stigley, chief executive, LGNZ, 021 479 644
Attached: Forum participants
The
Forum – list of those attending:
Prime Minister Helen
Clark
Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton
Finance
Minister Michael Cullen
Local Government Minister Sandra
Lee
Social Services Minister Steve Maharey
Environment
Minister Marian Hobbs
Transport Minister Mark
Gosche
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland
issues, Judith Tizard.
Louise Rosson, President of Local
Government New Zealand
Gordon Blake, Vice President of
Local Government New Zealand
Philip Warren, Vice
President of Local Government New Zealand
Mayor Mark
Blumsky (Wellington City)
Mayor Frana Cardno (Southland
District)
Chair Jim Peters (Northland Regional)
Mayor
Don Riesterer (Opotiki District)
Observing
Attendees
Mayor John Chaffey (Hurunui District)
Deputy
Mayor Dianne Hale (North Shore City)
Mayor Wynne Raymond
(Timaru District)
Mayor John Read (South Wairarapa
District)
Councillor Paul Rieger (Horizons.mw)
Deputy
Chair Hon Margaret Sheilds (Wellington Regional)
Mayor
Sukhi Turner (Dunedin City)
Officials
Carol Stigley
(Local Government New Zealand)
Elizabeth Hughes (Local
Government New Zealand)
Mike Reid (Local Government New
Zealand)