The Local Government Act changed – the new purpose of local government statement is included for reference below.

• Has this purpose been incorporated into the AMPs?
• Are you demonstrating that the purpose is being met?

Simply, if your Asset Management Plan and Levels of Service are referencing the previously required Community Outcomes then you will need to review this and align statements with the ‘Purpose of Local Government’ to demonstrate the purpose is being met through the activity and the assets.

(Ref Local Government Act 2002, as amended 2012)

3 Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to provide for democratic and effective local government that recognises the diversity of New Zealand communities; and, to that end, this Act—

1. states the purpose of local government; and
2. provides a framework and powers for local authorities to decide which activities they undertake and the manner in which they will undertake them; and
3. promotes the accountability of local authorities to their communities; and
4. provides for local authorities to play a broad role in meeting the current and future needs of their communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions.

Section 3(d): replaced, on 5 December 2012, by section 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).

Subpart 1—Purpose of local government

10 Purpose of local government

(1) The purpose of local government is—

1. to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and
2. to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses.
3. to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and
4. to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses.

(2) In this Act, good-quality, in relation to local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions, means infrastructure, services, and performance
that is —

1. efficient; and
2. effective; and
3. appropriate to present and anticipated future circumstances.

Section 10(1)(b): replaced, on 5 December 2012, by section 7(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).

Section 10(2): inserted, on 5 December 2012, by section 7(2) of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).

PHOTO CREDIT: Karl Hipolito