Speaking after the Local Government New Zealand conference ended in Queenstown yesterday, association president and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said changes to responsibility for the wellbeing of communities would severely constrain councils.
"We are responsible for the social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeings and the Government is trying to change that. We do not support the Government's position and we are asking them to change it."
Prime Minister John Key addressed the conference on Monday morning and indicated the select committee process considering the Bill was an appropriate forum to consider changes.
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman supported councils in their opposition, saying the changes would undermine identity and decision-making.
"National's attempted gutting of local government will replace the identity and decision-making of local communities with a colourless, central bureaucracy," Mr Norman told members of New Zealand's 78 councils.
Mr Yule said the proposal would give rise to legal and judicial constraints and that, ultimately, the Government was imposing unnecessary authority in seeking to contain costs.
"We have tried to be far more conservative in our approach to spending because we know people are struggling in this economic environment."
Noting Mr Key wanted councils to keep rates bills affordable, Mr Yule said the average household rates bill was $6 a day, which in most cases was lower than the cost of electricity and insurance.
Despite the opposition from councils to the changes, Mr Yule said "there is going to be change if you look at the Bill".
Although Mr Key declared amalgamations were on National's agenda, Mr Yule denied councils were under pressure to do so, saying instead some areas were "actively considering it".
"Government is not forcing it, but they are asking how it is most effective and efficient to organise ourselves."
