Introduced March 22. A member’s bill in the name Scott Simpson, it amends the Litter Act by increasing the maximum fine for an infringement offence from $400 to $1,000. Completed first reading on May 2 with just NZ First opposed arguing it was ineffectual. Ministers indicated they would like it to be a vehicle for a wider look at the Act and dumping laws. Referred to the Environment Committee. Reported back on Nov 2 with a large number of changes  but keeping the increasing in fine. Voted down at second reading by Labour, Greens and NZ first on March 6 they argued the fine was out of proportion and did not address wider issues with the Litter Act and wider waste issues. Litter (Increased Infringement Fee) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Greg O’Connor drawn from the ballot on Feb 15. The bill abolishes the ratepayer roll for local government elections meaning they would not be able to vote in council elections unless a resident. Voted down at first reading on March 20 with National, Act and NZ First opposed.

Local Electoral (Abolition of the Ratepayer Roll) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 7. The bill allows local council candidates to use email addresses, PO box or phone numbers, or links to an internet page on electoral advertising instead of their residential or business address. First reading completed on June 7 with the support of all parties and sent to the Justice Committee with the support of all parties with a shortened consideration period. Reported back on June 22 and passed through all remaining stages on June 28  with no opposition.

Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Feb 5, 2021. The Bill remove all mechanisms for binding polls to be held on establishing Māori wards and constituencies, while retaining non-binding polls to gauge public sentiment. Also establishes a transition period ending on 21 May 2021 in which a local authority may, regardless of any previous decisions or previous polls, establish Māori wards or Māori constituencies for the 2022 local elections. First reading under Urgency on Feb 9, opposed by National and ACT and referred to the Māori Affairs Committee with submissions closing on Feb 11 and reported back by Feb 15. Reported back on March 15 with minor changes. Passed through remaining stages under urgency on Feb 23 opposed by National and ACT. Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 5, the Bill is intended to provide greater flexibility to enable local electoral arrangements to adapt to changing circumstances. Its main provision is to support the conduct of “trials of novel voting methods”, such as on-line voting. Completed first reading on May 9 with all parties in agreement and sent to the Justice Committee for consideration. Report back extended from Nov 9 to Dec 8. Reported back on Dec 12 with minor changes including new powers to disallow elections. National expressed ongoing concern about the risks of on-line voting. Second reading debate completed on March 12 with all parties in agreement and committee stage on March 13. Third reading completed on April 2 all parties in favour.  Local Electoral Matters Bill

Introduced on October 14. This Bill amends the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010. The purpose of the amendment is to provide more flexibility for the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel to help ensure it can deliver its recommendations on the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan to the Auckland Council by the statutory deadline of 50 working days before the expiry of 3 years from the notification of the proposed plan. Passed through all stages under Urgency with the third reading completed on Nov 19 with just the Greens opposing. Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 5. The Bill allows councils to expand their activities to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities; and restores power to collect development contributions for any public amenities needed as a consequence of development. First reading completed on April 11 and referred to the Governance and Administration Committee. Strongly opposed by National and ACT. Reported back on October 3 with the evenly divided committee unable to agree on changes. Govt MPs said it should proceed with some changes around development contributions. National MPs said the Bill should be dumped.Second reading completed on April 9 with National opposed. Committee stage completed April 30 and third reading May 7. National and ACT opposed. Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill

Members Bill in the name of Jacqui Dean drawn from the ballot on June 18. The Bill amends the Local Government Act requiring local authorities to promote a customer focus to delivering public services and regulatory functions. First reading on July 29 and voted down by Labour, NZ First and the Greens. Local Government (Customer Focus) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Cushla Tangaere-Manuel drawn from the ballot on Dec 7. It seeks to amend the Local Government Act to permanently allow local authority members to participate in local authority meetings remotely and be counted towards quorum for those meetings. Defeated at first reading on Feb 29 with National, Act and NZ First opposed.

Local Government (Facilitation of Remote Participation) Amendment Bill

A Bill in the name of Labour’s Tangi Utikere drawn from the ballot and introduced on July 1. The bill sets up a pecuniary interest register for local council along the lines of those in place for MPs and ministers. First reading Sept 22 supported by all parties and sent to the Governance and Administration Committee. Reported back on March 22 with a number of mainly technical amendments, but also extending the coverage to local community boards. Second reading on April 6 with govt MPs indicating there would be further minor changes in the committee stage and all parties in support. Committee stage complete on April 16. Third reading on May 18 with just Act opposed saying it did not address problems with local government.

Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill