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Local Government Act 2002

Powers of Minister to act in relation to local authorities - Ministerial powers of assistance and intervention - Minister may require information from local authority

257: Minister may require information

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“The government can ask local councils for information about problems”

The Minister can ask a local authority for information about a problem. This can happen if the Minister thinks there might be a problem that the local authority hasn’t told people about or can’t fix.

The Minister can also ask for information after a special group has finished helping with a problem. This is to see if more help is needed.

When the Minister asks for information, they must say what the problem is, what information they want, how they want it presented, and when they need it by.

The local authority must give the Minister the information by the date asked for, or by a new date if the Minister agrees to change it.

The Minister can ask for the information to be given in parts, either on specific dates or at regular times.

The Minister can ask for information about a problem even if they’ve already asked about it before.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM4925965.

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Government and voting > Local councils
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256: Interpretation, or

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Part 10 Powers of Minister to act in relation to local authorities
Ministerial powers of assistance and intervention: Minister may require information from local authority

257Minister may require information

  1. The Minister may, by notice in writing, require a local authority to provide to him or her information on the nature and extent of a problem and how the local authority is addressing or planning to address the problem if the Minister believes, on reasonable grounds, that—

  2. a problem relating to the local authority may exist; and
    1. the local authority—
      1. has not publicly acknowledged the nature and extent of the problem; or
        1. may be unable or unwilling to effectively address the problem.

        2. The Minister may, by notice in writing, require a local authority to provide to him or her information on how the local authority is addressing or planning to address a problem—

        3. after the expiry of the term of a Ministerial body appointed to assist or intervene in relation to the problem; and
          1. for the purpose of the Minister assessing whether further action under this Part is required.

            1. A notice under this section must state—

            2. the problem; and
              1. the information required by the Minister; and
                1. the form in which the information is to be provided; and
                  1. the date by which the information is to be provided.

                    1. A local authority must respond to a notice received under this section—

                    2. by the date stated in the notice; or
                      1. by any other date to which the Minister has agreed.

                        1. The Minister may require a local authority to provide information under this section—

                        2. by instalments at specified dates:
                          1. by instalments at specified intervals.

                            1. The Minister may require a local authority to provide information under this section in relation to a problem on which information has already been requested and provided under the section.

                            Notes
                            • Section 257: replaced, on , by section 31 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).