Summary
- Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) describes itself as “a membership body for Aotearoa’s councils/kaunihera and we provide that vision and voice.”
- The 2025 LGNZ conference was titled “SuperLocal: Brilliant Basics and Beyond” and was held on the 16th and 17th of July in Christchurch.
- Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, went to one day of the conference and described the “absolutely world-class” catering and the “endless Koru Lounge”.
- The Taxpayers’ Union also parked a truck outside the LGNZ Conference with signage featuring the photographs of mayors from cities with the highest rates increases.
- The “Cap Rates Now” campaign and an associated petition are being run by the Taxpayers’ Union.
- Prior to the AGM, LGNZ circulated a “Rates capping AGM paper” to councils where they propose that LGNZ’s “advocacy needs to step up a gear” to “prevent rates capping”.
- The LGNZ rates capping paper was made public by a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) request.
- In the rate capping paper, LGNZ looks favourably toward the situation in South Australia by using the line “South Australia has held off a rates cap through lobbying and a strong public campaign”. LGNZ also argues that “Locally elected representatives – who are directly accountable to communities – are better placed than Wellington to make local taxation and investment decisions”.
- The Taxpayers’ Union reported that at the LGNZ Conference AGM “82 percent of members voted to mount a ratepayer-funded campaign against the Government and the Taxpayers Union’s efforts for rates capping legislation”. The Taxpayers’ Union described LGNZ’s campaign as a “plan to spend ratepayer money to fight ratepayers”.
Key Quotes
“Our 2025 SuperLocal conference took place from 16-17 July in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
A new era for local government demands bold leadership, innovative thinking, and a results-driven approach. SuperLocal25 brought together the brightest minds to refine the fundamentals, and push beyond them.
Through keynotes, panel discussions and workshops, we challenged conventional wisdom and inspired fresh ideas. From enabling economic growth to responding to the big challenges of the day, the programme dove into practical solutions to drive real change.
A strong, future-focused Aotearoa New Zealand starts with a solid foundation..”
SuperLocal25 Conference description on the LGNZ website
“Strong communities begin with the basics — delivering essential services, building trust and making every dollar count. But great local leadership goes further.
SuperLocal is where we analyse the fundamentals and push beyond them. From infrastructure to innovative ways to find efficiencies, our speakers will tackle the big issues and zero in on solutions that will force you to push boundaries. You’ll hear from councils leading the way and engage with some of the brightest minds to refine your approach.
Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate performance and create a lasting impact in your community.”
SuperLocal25 Conference advertisement on the Inside Government NZ website
“LGNZ’s advocacy so far
LGNZ’s top advocacy priority (as set by members) is better local government funding and financing.
Rates capping directly constrains local government funding and financing. Rates capping also runs counter to localism. Locally elected representatives – who are directly accountable to communities – are better placed than Wellington to make local taxation and investment decisions. Rates capping is not primarily about rates increases: it’s about who decides what rates increases should be.
So far, LGNZ has communicated our views on rates capping in conversations and meetings with politicians and officials, via submissions, and through media. Some elected members around the country have publicly spoken out against the policy of their own accord.
Our advocacy needs to step up a gear
If we don’t strengthen our advocacy, the Government is likely to implement rates capping. The Government is likely to introduce legislation next year. However, it is still politically possible to prevent rates capping. LGNZ successfully opposed a similar proposal in 2009. More recently, South Australia has held off a rates cap through lobbying and a strong public campaign.
Others will campaign for rates capping
Pressure group the Taxpayers Union has launched a campaign in support of rates capping that features anti-council rhetoric (“ballooning staff numbers and vanity project spending see councils delivering fewer core services”). This campaign is targeting particular councils and Mayors ahead of the local government elections.
Without balance, supportive voices will capture the public narrative around rates capping.”
Rates capping AGM paper, LGNZ 2025, released after a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) request
“LGNZ are gaslighting ratepayers. So desperate to defend rates having gone up by more than 34 percent over the last three years – two and a half times the level of inflation – they now plan to spend ratepayer money to fight ratepayers.”
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams as quoted in Local Government New Zealand Hits New Low, Taxpayers’ Union, 16 July 2025
“Being louder publicly would be essential
To argue that councils are better placed than central government to make rates decisions, we must boost public trust and confidence in local government. This would be one prong of our campaign, including highlighting popular council services and infrastructure that would be threatened by rates capping. A campaign centred on what the public would lose to a rate cap – and who has the right to decide – is more likely to succeed than one focussed on technicalities.
LGNZ sets the tone for rate capping advocacy. We know other groups and organisations oppose this policy but given this sits squarely in our space, no one will stick their neck out more than we do. Visible advocacy from LGNZ would be required to activate a “coalition of the willing”.
The consequences of being louder
We also need to consider what political consequences might result from strongly and vocally opposing rates capping. Misinformation about LGNZ’s political neutrality already exists. While we do (and will continue to) work closely with the Government on many other policies and portfolios, opposing specific proposals gains more attention.
However, other membership bodies talk loudly and publicly to the Government when certain lines are crossed. For example, Federated Farmers’ “SOS: Save Our Sheep” campaign is aggressively calling on the Government to stop carbon forestry and preserve the sheep industry. Playing out across billboards, social media and media. It’s important to note that opposing a policy does not prevent us from working constructively with the Government on other policy areas. ”
Rates capping AGM paper, LGNZ 2025, released after a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) request
Further reading on this issue
Stuff Article: Why are councils considering rates hikes of 25.5% and higher?
