Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason believes there are many positives to the local government reforms announced by Nick Smith.

'The four well-beings responsibilities imposed on local government in 2002, created an unrealistic expectation that councils could be all things to all people.

Max Mason.

'Yesterday's announcement focuses local government on core functions which mean the community will need to make some tough choices on what services are retained and what are discarded.

'This could result in more public engagement in local democracy, and more local charitable and community organisations being established to resource and manage the activities they are passionate about.”

The new emphasis is for local government to provide ‘Good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and business.' Max says some clarity still needs to emerge about what constituted ‘public services', but he understands economic development fortunately fits into that definition.

Strengthening mayoral powers was viewed as positive by Max.

'In Tauranga we have a mayor who is popular with the electorate, but has been hamstrung by only being one voice on the council.

'Now he will have more of an opportunity to drive the city in the direction he wants.”

An expert advisory group will be established to report on ways to better manage the costs of local government infrastructure, and Max says: 'I just hope they have people from this region on that group because of the huge experience gained here in infrastructure development.”

Another reform which is likely to appeal to Tauranga developers is a proposed review around development contributions and how they are used by councils.

Questions need to be answered over whether they are adversely impacting on business and job growth as well as adding to the problems of housing affordability.

Max also feels the process to streamline possible reorganisation of councils would be received well by the business community, particularly because of the emphasis on simplifying planning processes and efficiency improvements.

Establishing a local government efficiency taskforce would appeal to many people because of the onerous planning, consultation and reporting requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, says Max: 'and it's positive that the terms of reference will be developed in consultation with Local Government New Zealand.”

A more consistent approach to regulatory roles between local and central government will be developed by the Productivity Commission.