Local governance

Increasingly, and worldwide, regional and local communities play an important role in their own governance – not just through local government but through a whole series of local institutions and understandings that together help determine the future direction of the community. In New Zealand an obvious example is the role played by community, energy and gaming trusts.

We have internationally recognised expertise in understanding the role and potential of local governance, focused on how regional and local communities, working with local institutions, can guide their own futures.

Included within this is our longstanding and broad-based experience working with individual local authorities and with Local Government New Zealand on a raft of issues, common to many local authorities, including economic development, community development, housing, museums, art galleries and libraries, roading, trading operations and governance.

By using us for advice you are able to:

• Draw on our excellent understanding of emerging local governance and local government practice nationally and internationally.
• Keep “ahead of the play” in what is rapidly becoming a central part of how things happen regionally and locally.

Feature project

We are currently working with three local authorities and a range of central government agencies, private sector and voluntary/community stakeholders on using the community outcomes process for a crucial local governance issue; the development of a positive ageing strategy. This is expected to produce a comprehensive approach to “ageing in place”. In the districts of the three councils involved, the place of older people will play a crucial role in determining the future direction and governance of the community.