16th November 2016

Quakes Prompt Call for Relocation of Govt Depts to Regions

The Government is being urged to relocate much of the Civil Service from Wellington to the regions in the wake of this week’s earthquakes.

Nelson City Councillor Matt Lawrey says damage to over a dozen government buildings should send a signal to the Government that it needs to increase the resilience of its services by spreading its operations around the country.

“I appreciate that this is a tough time for Wellington but the Government has just had a very lucky escape. We need to learn from this and start planning for a future where we don’t have so many important and expensive eggs in one basket,” he said.

Earlier this year Lawrey drafted a policy adopted by Local Government New Zealand to call on the Government to investigate the benefits of such a move.

Lawrey says that in the past it made sense to centre the Civil Service in one place but modern communications technology now makes it possible to run services from regional centres.

“If technology can make it possible for scientists, doctors and academics to collaborate across times zones, it must be possible for more government services to be based outside of Wellington,” he said.

Lawrey said that moving civil servants out of the Capital would also:

Boost economic activity in the regions.

Inject more talented, qualified and skilled people into regional centres.

Potentially save the taxpayer money given the high cost of rents in Wellington.

Make it easier for government employees to own their own home.

Background

http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/dozens-of-government-buildings-damaged-by-quakes-2016111614

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/309371/backing-for-proposal-to-move-state-services-to-region

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