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'Unprecedented': Concerns sudden council voting changes will have 'unintended consequences'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 3 Jun 2026, 1:03pm
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith

'Unprecedented': Concerns sudden council voting changes will have 'unintended consequences'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 3 Jun 2026, 1:03pm

The speed of the changes to council voting rights is sparking some concern.  

The Government is amending the Local Government Act, which would strip non-elected representatives of voting rights on council committees. 

Changes would impact iwi and youth representatives, although Treaty-based committees are exempt. 

Local Government NZ Board Member and Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Kerre Woodham that while they understand where Minister Simon Watts is coming from, this is substantial and unprecedented reform. 

She says it's a pretty quick change to the law, and they hope they can continue to have input so as to ensure there’s no unintended consequences.  

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