Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Local Government Act 2002

Purpose of local government, and role and powers of local authorities - Purpose of local government

10: Purpose of local government

You could also call this:

“Local government helps communities make decisions and improve life for everyone”

Local government has two main purposes. First, it allows you and your community to make decisions and take action on local matters. This means you have a say in what happens in your area.

Second, local government works to make life better for everyone in the community. It looks after four important areas: social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being. This isn’t just for now, but also for the future. So, local government tries to make sure that your community is a good place to live, both today and in the years to come.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM171803.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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Part 2 Purpose of local government, and role and powers of local authorities
Purpose of local government

10Purpose of local government

  1. The purpose of local government is—

  2. to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and
    1. to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

      1. Repealed
      Notes
      • Section 10(1)(b): replaced, on , by section 6(1) of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 17).
      • Section 10(2): repealed, on , by section 6(2) of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 17).