Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:632;Page:4198] 
6.  
STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) 
 to the  
Minister of Local Government 
: What reports has he received if any on the relationship between central government and local government? 
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I heard a speech made by the President of Local Government New Zealand Mr Basil Morrison at the Local Government New Zealand annual conference on Monday. In this speech he welcomed investment by central government in building local government capability and commended the Government’s expanded and revised rates rebate scheme. Indeed as I myself acknowledged yesterday to the conference the building of the strong and mature mutually respectful working relationship plays a critical role in ensuring the well-being of New Zealand. 
Steve Chadwick 
: What other reports on the relationship between central government and local government has the Minister received? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: At the same conference I heard another speech bizarrely directing local government to stand up for themselves—as though they do not—and to not be meekly steamrolled by Labour as well as a further patronising description of local government leaders as “frustrated middle management” and “introverted in their thinking”. These insulting comments—and I want to assure members that local government leaders were deeply insulted—were made by the current National Party leader Dr Brash. How this contrasts with a report I have recently seen that states: “This Labour Government is better connected to this city than any other administration in our country’s history.” That came from former Auckland mayor and former National Party local government spokesperson John Banks. 
John Carter 
: Does the Minister think that relationships between local and central governments and between central government and ratepayers are enhanced when the Helen Clark - led Labour Government continues to shift responsibility from central government to local government as reported in the speech by Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast yesterday where she told the Local Government conference that Wellington ratepayers will have to meet an extra $750000 out of their ratepayer pockets to administer the Building Act an extra $220000 because of the Dog Control Act an extra $160000 because of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act in excess of $1000000 because of the earthquake legislation that the Food Act will cost the Wellington ratepayers an extra $35000 and that some ratepayers will have to meet more than a $4000 rate increase if the water quality standards go through? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: Perhaps that is the speech Dr Brash should have tried yesterday. But firstly I can say that what does enhance the relationship is the response that was able to be given that in the last 6 years the investment from central government in local government has gone from 8 percent to 13.3 percent of local government’s entire expenditure; $665 million has transferred. Secondly many of the matters the member raises are of course cost recoverable. Although National members may regard sanitary conditions and clean water as optional extras New Zealanders do not. They demand First World standards this Government is committed to them and in my experience most of Local Government New Zealand agrees with us. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I remind members this is question time not the general debate. So both questions and answers should be asked and answered succinctly. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: He aha nga purongo kua tae atu ki a ia mo te kaha ngoikore ranei o nga kaunihera a-rohe ki te whakatinana i te hohonutanga o Te Ture Kawanatanga a-Rohe 2002 ki te “poipoi i a Ngai Maori kia whaimana ai tana noho i aua ropu a-rohe”? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
What reports has he received about the effectiveness of local bodies in implementing the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 to “foster Maori capacity to contribute to the decision-making processes of the local authority”? 
] 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: I have not received any recent reports but I would be happy to follow up that matter with the member and give him a written response to his inquiry.