increase font size
Federated Farmers spokesperson for local government Katie Milne.
Federated Farmers welcomes the launch of Local Government New Zealand's Excellence Programme.
The programme details a new independent standards system to measure the performance of local authorities.
Federated Farmers spokesperson for local government Katie Milne says it's crucial for farmers, rural communities, and for New Zealand that local government provides value for money.
"Overall Federated Farmers believes this initiative should be very helpful and over time improvements can be made to the programme to enhance performance," says Milne.
"We think further improvements can be made by including more 'outcome' related indicators as opposed to process indicators, a beefing up of the indicators for service delivery, and the inclusion of measures on rates and spending from a ratepayer perspective.
"The Excellence Programme is a great start as it will encourage councils to be more efficient and effective and to adopt best practices."
Under the programme, ratepayers and communities will now have the ability to assess how their councils are doing, including comparing them.
"Federated Farmers challenge all councils to get on board," says Milne.
"We're always keen to engage with councils and will shortly be putting out our own guide for best practice: our three-yearly Local Elections Manifesto."
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role - science partnerships & impact advisor - as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation's science leadership.
OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
When I interview Rachel Cox, she is driving - on her way to her next meeting.
With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
