This disconnect between public perception and reality explains many frustrations with local government. The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW, population 18 million) once faced the same problem – and successfully resolved it.
In the 1990s, NRW grappled with council-related challenges like those we see in New Zealand today. That was no coincidence: Both NRW and New Zealand inherited a system of local government from Britain, under which unelected council chief executives hold significant power, leaving elected representatives struggling to implement their mandates.
Recognising these issues, the NRW state parliament voted for sweeping reforms. It transferred executive powers from chief executives to elected majors.
The first directly elected mayors with executive powers took office in 1999, marking the beginning of a new era in local governance.
To understand the impact of these changes, we interviewed Oliver Wittke, one of the first mayors elected under the new system, for our podcast. He later became Minister of Transport and Construction in NRW, and eventually Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Economics Ministry under Angela Merkel.
Wittke was elected Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, a city with a population similar to Wellington’s, at the age of 33. He explained how the reforms aligned public expectations with mayoral responsibilities.
Consolidating political and administrative power brought efficiency and accountability to local governance. It empowered mayors to implement their mandates effectively, whilst maintaining democratic checks and balances.
Crucially, it clarified lines of responsibility, making it easier for citizens to understand who was accountable for council decisions.
Now, nearly 30 years after these reforms, Wittke says, no one in NRW would consider reverting to the old system. What was once controversial is now widely accepted, having delivered the clarity and accountability that the previous structure lacked.
With Wellington’s woes continuing to make headlines, New Zealand should consider NRW’s example. Aligning perceptions and streamlining governance can transform dysfunctional systems.
The lesson for New Zealand is clear: bold reform, when carefully implemented, can revitalise local democracy and attract the calibre of leadership our communities deserve.
Perhaps it is time we too ensured that those we elect to lead our cities and towns have the power to do so effectively.
Recognising these issues, the NRW state parliament voted for sweeping reforms. It transferred executive powers from chief executives to elected majors.
The first directly elected mayors with executive powers took office in 1999, marking the beginning of a new era in local governance.
To understand the impact of these changes, we interviewed Oliver Wittke, one of the first mayors elected under the new system, for our podcast. He later became Minister of Transport and Construction in NRW, and eventually Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Economics Ministry under Angela Merkel.
Wittke was elected Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, a city with a population similar to Wellington’s, at the age of 33. He explained how the reforms aligned public expectations with mayoral responsibilities.
Consolidating political and administrative power brought efficiency and accountability to local governance. It empowered mayors to implement their mandates effectively, whilst maintaining democratic checks and balances.
Crucially, it clarified lines of responsibility, making it easier for citizens to understand who was accountable for council decisions.
Now, nearly 30 years after these reforms, Wittke says, no one in NRW would consider reverting to the old system. What was once controversial is now widely accepted, having delivered the clarity and accountability that the previous structure lacked.
With Wellington’s woes continuing to make headlines, New Zealand should consider NRW’s example. Aligning perceptions and streamlining governance can transform dysfunctional systems.
The lesson for New Zealand is clear: bold reform, when carefully implemented, can revitalise local democracy and attract the calibre of leadership our communities deserve.
Perhaps it is time we too ensured that those we elect to lead our cities and towns have the power to do so effectively.
Listen to our podcast with Oliver Wittke here
Dr Oliver Hartwich is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative think tank. This article was first published HERE.
6 comments:
This is a brilliant and necessary idea.
Under such a scheme Ms Tory Whanau would have executive power? Would that be an improvement?
A German solution may indeed be best. Bismarck used Crown edicts to control Prussian minor wanna-be dictators Sounds good to me.
I can see the benefits of this because it is very clear in Wellington that the Council officials and their CEO are leading the WCC "by the nose". If this reform was to take place I would also include a "recall" provision as they have in the US.
Very Interesting . Especially the Third Option, the secret vote in council. Queenstown has a University degreed engineer as Mayor and QTN has complete and utter shambles of infrastructure and roading construction. The CEO is a cast off from a NZ city that is ensconced in Queenstown and the situation is going from bad to worse . The public are aghast at the QLDC continuous disasters and cost overruns . Maybe it is NOT the Mayors and Council fault .
I would not give some of our mayor's executive powers unless, Perhaps an economics degree were the minimum qualifications required for the position. if the role were to be combined with that of the CEO include a law degree.
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