local government

Local Bodies and the Population's Preferences: Different Planets
At a recent conference I was asked to participate in a debate about the role of local democracy, to question whether local government as currently constructed is the best approach to balancing communities' equity and efficiency objectives. Sitting through a couple of other speeches while waiting for the time slot for the debate, brought home...
28 July 1999 - Gareth Morgan

...like a fish needs a bicycle
Members of Wellington's city council have floated the idea that the region needs its own regional bank. Should Wellington have its own bank? Or more pertinently does society benefit from having a locally owned bank? There is no reason why a bank can not be locally owned and successfully operated one need only look at the success of operations such as...
10 June 1998 - David Grimmond

Who needs Rugby.
Wellington might be having a tough time winning any rugby, but its economy is on the improve. Retail trade, building activity and real estate trends in the region all improved in the June quarter. Wellingtonians will be breathing a sigh of relief after years of slow growth. Retail trade for the June quarter increased by an impressive 4.7% compared to last year, more than double the New ...
3 September 1997 - Tony Booth

Council Rates Amount to Social Welfare in local form
Local councils which levy rates according to a formula whereby higher value properties pay proportionately more, are still muddled in their thinking. To be consistent with recent moves they have made to exit the role of social welfare agencies, they need to reform their rating so that houseowners are rated according to the level of local body services...
18 March 1997 - Gareth Morgan