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Dear John,
=C2=A0
This week I told local government leaders point-blank that New Zealanders h=
ave serious questions about their performance. =C2=A0
=C2=A0
Rapidly rising rates, a reputation for wasteful spending, restrictive plann=
ing rules holding back economic growth, and crumbling local infrastructure,=
have led Kiwis to question whether local government is fit for purpose.=C2=
=A0
=C2=A0
Major projects across the country continue to get declined by local council=
s. Housing continues to be difficult to build. And councils continue to was=
te ratepayer money.
=C2=A0=C2=A0
Kiwis struggling today deserve better.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Our Government is taking action.
=C2=A0
Local Government Minister Simon Watts introduced legislation to Parliament =
this week to focus councils on what really matters: core services.
=C2=A0
I told councils that it=E2=80=99s ok to build a local road without spending=
hundreds of thousands on artworks. Not everything they do has to be an arc=
hitectural masterpiece.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Not everything has to win awards for being the most sustainable or the most=
innovative or the most beautiful.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Simplicity is smart. Complexity is costly. The only awards council projects=
should be winning are for cost efficiency and effectiveness.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As a government, we are getting our house in order. It=E2=80=99s time local=
government sorted theirs out, too.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Councils need to focus on the essentials and deliver value for their commun=
ity.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I also talked about the major reforms underway to our planning system after=
thirty-three years with the failed experiment that is the RMA.
=C2=A0
We=E2=80=99ve already made a series of changes to make it easier to farm an=
d to build the infrastructure New Zealanders need, like our Fast Track law.
=C2=A0
Once our new planning system is in place, it=E2=80=99ll be far easier to bu=
ild roads and houses, and there=E2=80=99ll be less red tape for our farmers=
and growers.
=C2=A0
This is how we help grow the economy, reduce the cost of living, and help K=
iwis get ahead.
=C2=A0
These changes show we=E2=80=99re not just talking about reform =E2=80=93 we=
=E2=80=99re delivering it.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Chris Bishop
Spokesperson for RMA Reform
=C2=A0
PS: If you=E2=80=99d like to read my whole speech, you can find it [here](h=
ttps://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-2025-lgnz-conference).
=C2=A0
=C2=A0

=E2=80=8A

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=C2=A0
New Zealand National Party
41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand
=C2=A0
If this email advertises any event or events that asked for payment to atte=
nd, then it is a fundraising event with proceeds, after costs, being a dona=
tion to the New Zealand National Party.
=C2=A0
Authorised by J de Joux, 41 Pipitea St, Wellington.

=C2=A9 2025 | All rights reserved.

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