The Green Party says today's local government reorganisation announcement is fundamentally undemocratic, shows a lack of understanding of how local government operates, and ignores the findings of the Government's own expert bodies.

The Government’s plan to limit council rates rises to four per cent will inevitably lead to poorer local service provision, and communities being worse off.

The Government is weakening environmental management and local democracy with its changes to Regional Councils.

The Green Party is calling for the voting period for Māori wards to be extended after key information was left out of voting packs. 

The Government is weakening our democracy by restricting voting rights and making it easier for the wealthy to donate to political campaigns under the cover of anonymity. 

The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing.   

Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government.

The Government’s move to enforce austerity measures on councils is an assault on local democracy. 

The Green Party unequivocally condemns the governing parties’ attempts to limit the public’s say on the controversial Māori wards legislation, after the select committee considering the legislation set a deadline for submissions of just five days.