Local government

Local Government New Zealand's chief executive Malcolm Alexander wants more debate on how to sustainably fund local councils.

Public workshops involving councillors and ratepayers may offer more transparency, but are unlikely to happen, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says.

The decision this week of Local Government Minister David Carter to request advice from officials on funding rules for local body elections is welcome.

The Government's proposed local government reforms will come as a welcome and overdue breath of fresh air to many who have long protested its excesses.

Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, councillors and community board members will get a pay increase under remuneration rates approved recently by the Remuneration Authority.

Various attempts have been made over many years to combine the voices of Otago's local bodies, the most successful during the post-war period being the Otago Council which fought for, and eventua

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has introduced a new structure for the council's community boards and committees that he hopes will be more efficient and allow councillors' time to be better used.