Local Government Campaign

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Make our voice heard with local government

 Local Government Long Term Plans 2012

Find out how tourism businesses and regional tourism organisations can make their voice heard with their local authority.

Local Government Manifesto

The Local Government manifesto is an outline for all candidates contesting the 2010 elections as well as for people working within councils. It is designed to give candidates and staff a better understanding of the importance of the visitor industry to the regions and communities of New Zealand. It is an expression of the visitor industry's commitment to work with local government and to maximise the benefits that will accrue from an active and positive partnership. 

Visit the Local Government + The Visitor Industry: A Powerful Partnership website to read more.

Tim Cossar

Building the relationship

As part of its work to strengthen tourism’s relationship with councils, TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar and Policy & Research Manager Simon Wallace attend the quarterly Local Government New Zealand Economic Development Committee meetings.

Other members include Tauranga City Council Mayor Stuart Crosby, Taranaki Regional Council Chair David MacLeod, Opotiki District Council Mayor John Forbes, Palmerston North City Council Mayor Jono Naylor and representatives from Local Government New Zealand, the Ministry of Economic Development and Economic Development Agencies New Zealand.

5 October 2011 meeting
The future of the Local Government NZ Tourism Symposium and the ongoing relationship between councils and the tourism industry were on the agenda at the 5 October 2011 meeting.  TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar reports there was a significant vote of confidence in the success of the Symposium and the Committee would like to see it happen again in 2012.

The Committee also agreed that there should be much closer tourism industry involvement with long-term council planning processes.

Other agenda items looked at how to encourage councillors to better develop their understanding of economic development issues. There was detailed discussion around the costs of regulation on local government and the impacts this has on things like resource management consent timeframes and costs. Future meetings of this committee have committed to having a much more detailed look at this issue and where efficiencies can be made. 

Kefeng Chu, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Director Operations – China gave an update on the importance of mayoral delegations into China and the role mayors have in creating strategic business relationships in all sectors.