■ East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick is urging Eastern Bay residents to engage with the Government’s proposed local government reforms.

Local government affects all of us. It shapes the roads we drive on, the water that comes out of our taps, the way our rubbish is collected, and the infrastructure our communities rely on every day.

Yet, many people are frustrated at continually increasing local government rates and a perceived reduction in services.

This Government has released some key policy initiatives around local government – we have talked about rates caps, restructuring of regional councils, new resource management law that will reduce the requirement for consents by up to 40 percent and a raft of relaxed rules around building and construction practices and materials that can be used.

Whether you support changes to local government or oppose it, or think it could be improved, this is your chance to influence the future of local government.

The decisions made now will shape how councils operate for years to come, and communities like ours deserve to be heard.

I urge you to get involved with the consultation process or chat to a local councillor to ensure you put your views across.

At its heart, the changes are about efficiency, getting local government back to basics, and refocusing councils on delivering core services that residents expect – maintaining roads, providing reliable water services, managing waste, and investing in the essential infrastructure that underpins strong communities and local economies.

Ensuring a regulatory system that is enabling rather than expensive and only focused on compliance or restricting what you can do on your property.

Ratepayers are asking a simple question: are we getting the best value for the money we pay? It’s a fair question, particularly when many households are feeling the affordability squeeze.

I added up the remuneration of all elected members across the councils and community boards of the Eastern Bay and half of the chairs remuneration.

The annual total is $2.1 million each year. Now, I agree there are many councillors who do a wonderful job, are connected with their communities and deliver excellent oversight.

But the question is, could this be done more efficiently and what might that look like.

In line with this, the Governance and Administration Select Committee is working on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill.

This will improve productivity, strengthen financial discipline, increase transparency, and provide clearer accountability for council performance.

They also recognise the importance of long-term planning for major infrastructure, particularly water services, so future investment is sustainable without placing unnecessary pressure on ratepayers.

The select committee process gives New Zealanders the opportunity to highlight what works, what doesn’t, and what changes they believe should be made before the legislation becomes law.

Our communities understand better than anyone the challenges local government faces. We know the importance of resilient infrastructure, efficient services, and councils that can respond effectively to local needs. Those experiences should help shape the final legislation.

Change can be challenging, but standing still is not an option. Local government must be equipped to deliver efficiently, remain financially sustainable, and focus on the services that matter most to the people who fund them.

This is about building a system that works better for everyone – not just today, but for future generations.

I encourage everyone to take the time to read about the Bill, consider what it means for your community, and make a submission. Whether it’s a few sentences or a detailed submission, every voice contributes to the conversation.

Local government reform is too important to leave to others. If we want councils that are more productive, more accountable, and better able to deliver the services our communities rely on, now is the time to get involved and have your say.