Introduced on Feb 27, the Bill reforms local govt rating law in regards to Māori land. Allows councils to write off rates arrears on any land where they cannot be recovered. Allows for greater powers to class such land as non-rateable and sets up a remissions process for Māori freehold land under development. First reading on March 12, opposed by National and ACT and sent to the Māori Affairs Committee. Report back extended from June 29 to August 3. Reported back on Aug 6 with minor amendments. Second reading on March 16 with National and ACT opposed. Committee stage March 17 and third reading on April 16 with National and ACT remaining opposed. Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill 

Introduced on June 9 2016. The bill allows the Local Government Commission to initiate its own investigations in relation to reorganisations. The Bill also includes a provision for local authority-led reorganisations to be able to make submissions on reorganisation, including the establishment of multiply owned CCOs, joint governance arrangements, transfers of powers, boundary changes, and amalgamations. Completed its first reading on June 15 with the Greens and NZ First opposed. Labour indicated its support was conditional. Referred to Local Government and Environment Committee with submissions due by July 27. Already facing fierce opposition from councils with 97% of Local Govt NZ’s members voting in favour of vigorous opposition to any measure in the Bill removing the requirement for community consultation and support in reorganisation investigations and local decision-making of councils or their assets. The Local Government and Environment Select Committee has finished its hearings and was due to report back to the House by October 28 . However the report back deadline has been pushed back to March 31 2017. Report deadline pushed back again to June 16. Reported back with a large number of amendments. Labour, Greens and NZ First wrote a minority view saying while the Bill had improved they had too many misgivings about it to giver their support. Their objections centre around concerns the Bill will give greater central govt control and increase  corporatisation. Completed second reading on June 29 by one vote with National, ACT and United Future in support.  Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said she would introduce changes in the committee stage to disestablish the Local Government Commission in its current form. Once enacted, all reorganisation requests, except for those already accepted by the LGC, will need to meet new requirements for significant community support. Committee stage completed on Oct 15 with amendments passed as earlier suggested by minister. Third reading on Oct 16 with National and ACT opposed. Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on July 26, and omnibus bill addressing various matters around the elections of local councils. Opposition parties have focused on sections design to increase Māori representation on councils. Other aspects include changing the current restriction on the number of councillors on Auckland Council and simplifying the process for unitary authorities to adjust local board boundaries. First reading Aug 2 opposed by National and Act referred to the Governance and Administration Committee. Reported back on Dec 20 with a number of changes. Second reading on April 4 with National and Act opposed. Remaining stages completed on Aug 22 with National and Act opposed.

Local Government Electoral Legislation Bill

Introduced on Nov 22. The main part of the bill requires local councils to clearly publish natural hazard information including forecast climate change impacts on Land Information Memorandums. It also limits legal liability if the information is published in good faith, but not if information is withheld. First reading under urgency on Nov 22 with all parties in favour and sent to the Governance and Administration Committee. Passed through all remaining stages under Urgency on July 18 with all parties in favour.

Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill

Introduced on Aug 6, 2020. The Bill seeks to improve the allocation and transfer process provided in the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004. It follows some iwi facing indefinite delays in receiving their aquaculture settlement assets from the trustee, Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited, due to the inability of iwi in those regions to reach agreement about how regional aquaculture settlement assets should be allocated among. The Bill provides Te Ohu Kaimoana with a limited discretionary power to allocate and transfer aquaculture settlement assets to iwi. First reading on Dec 9 with the support of all parties and  referred to the Māori Affairs Committee. Reported back from select committee on June 4 with only minor amendments. Second reading on Aug 10 supported by all parties. Committee stage completed on March 17 with little debate. Third reading completed on April 7 with all parties in agreement.

Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 3, 2016, the bill implements treaty obligations. It introduces new offences relating to maritime terrorism, the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and the transportation of fugitives by ship. The Bill also introduces a maritime boarding regime which clarifies enforcement officers’ powers. Completed first reading debate on July 5 with all parties in support, though the Greens had some concerns the provisions might be applied to environmental protest groups. Sent to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for consideration. Reported back on Dec 7 with minor amendments. Amongst the changes were “avoidance of doubt” provisions. This specifies a peaceful act of protest or industrial action would not by itself, be a basis for criminal liability under the Act. Completed second reading debate on Feb 16, 2017 with all parties in agreement and the Greens satisfied with the amendments around protest activity. Committee stage completed on Dec 6 with all parties in support. Third reading completed on Dec 12.  Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 23. The Bill This bill provides powers to board and arrest on ships in international waters where NZ has jurisdiction, and situations where alleged offending is located on vessel in international waters. First reading on July 7 and referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee with the support of all parties. Reported back on Nov 8 with mainly technical changes. Second reading completed on March 2 opposed only by the Greens who said the powers being given were too broad and powerful. Committee stage completed on May 11 with no changes made. Third reading completed on May 17 with just the Greens opposed.

Maritime Powers Bill

Introduced on June 27. The Bill allows Customs and other agencies such as Defence to intercept vessels suspected of drug smuggling outside New Zealand’s territorial waters. First reading on July 3 and referred to the Foreign Affair, Defence and Trade Committee. Reported back on Sept 10 with no major changes, second reading Sept 18, committee stage Sept 20 and third reading on Sept 26. All parties in support. Maritime Powers Extension Bill

Introduced on May 19. The Bill gives ministerial powers to make marine protection rules in relation to Annex VI of the international marine transport treaty – MARPOL. These relate to vessel fuels and pollution standards. First reading on June 1 with the support of all parties. Sent to the transport and infrastructure committee to be reported back by Sept 16. The shortened time frame was so NZ can accede to the latest annex and take part in upcoming talks on maritime greenhouse gas emissions. Reported back on Sept 14 with minor changes. Second reading on Sept 28 with all parties in support. Committee stage completed on Oct 26. Third reading Nov 9 supported by all parties. Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 20. The Bill increases the requirements on owners of offshore oil and gas installations to hold insurance or other financial security in relation to their liability for clean-up and compensation resulting from an oil spill. It introduces a graduated scale based on an assessment of risk rising to $1.2b at the high end of the scale. First reading on June 27 with all parties in support though National MPs indicated the highest level of liability was more than they envisaged when in govt. Bill sent to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee to be reported back by Oct 29. Report back extended to Nov 18.Reported back on Nov 18 with minor amendments including clarification around insurers liability and limitations on that liability.Second reading Dec 10, committee stage Dec 11 and third reading Dec 12 supported by all parties. Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill