Localism

Across New Zealand, our regions, towns, cities, and districts each have their own unique identities shaped by the people who live and work there.

Localism is all about harnessing the power, knowledge, skills and views of local people to strengthen decision-making and service delivery. It develops better solutions to problems, fosters stronger connections and makes local places work for people. Localism leads to more effective and efficient solutions and decisions.

Localism can deliver:

  • improved effectiveness of council expenditure
  • better and more sustainable social and economic outcomes
  • committed partners and allies to assist councils to achieve their objectives
  • a more engaged society with stronger communities, where people feel connected to decisions that impact them, their whānau and their communities
  • re-energised local democratic processes, systems and structures.

It’s win-win for the public, local government and central government.

Find out more about our localism campaign

Download the localism guide

Download the localism factsheet