Dr Oliver Hartwich: German solution for New Zealand’s local government woes

Wellington City Council’s recent turmoil highlights a widespread misunderstanding of New Zealand’s local governance. Most Kiwis believe mayors wield significant power over councils. In reality, the mayoral title is largely ceremonial. Mayors hold no more practical power than other councillors.

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.

Nick Clark: Do we need more powerful mayors?

The Government is determined to give local government a shake-up, with stern tellings-off about getting ‘back-to-basics’ and reforms to refocus councils on core services and efficiency.

One of its ideas is that mayors could be given access to independent staff advice, separate from their chief executives and council staff.