Joining Christchurch, Auckland and 16 more. We have recommended KCDC do the same.
from Radio NZ
Councillor Tracey Coxhead said LGNZ needed to “re-evaluate itself”. Photo: LDR / John Borren
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is the latest council to leave national advocacy body Local Government New Zealand.
There were claims LGNZ had become “extremely political”, had swung “far left” and lacked professionalism.
Those in support of staying said LGNZ advocated for the sector and provided professional development and mental health support for councillors.
Other councils that have left LGNZ include: Christchurch City, Auckland, West Coast Regional, Grey, Kaipara and Westland District.
Western Bay councillors debated the decision to resign for more than an hour at a meeting on Tuesday.
The decision to end the council’s LGNZ membership passed by majority vote, six to five.
Councillor Tracey Coxhead brought the motion to council because she believed LGNZ needed to “re-evaluate itself” and was “not committed to being under a new government”.