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Central government is responsible for drafting the laws and regulations that govern New Zealand. But the communities that make up our country all have distinctive issues of their own. A solution to a problem that suits one community may not suit them all. Different communities need some flexibility to make their own local decisions. For these reasons we have a system of central and local government. Central government deals with the national picture. Local government deals with what happens in local communities. The key characteristic of our system of government is that people have the opportunity to participate at all levels. Citizens can help shape and perhaps even guide the direction of their country, or they can help shape and guide the direction of their community. In fact, government is the responsibility of all New Zealanders. In her foreword to the DecisionMaker Guide to Parliament and Government the Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, said "Just as we expect our democracy to work for us, we have to work for our democracy. This means taking part in the decision-making process. This means voting, participating in public life and contributing to the business of our nation." It is the Local Government Act 2002 and the Local Electoral Act 2001 that provide the legislative basis to reinforce Dame Silvia Cartwright's sentiments at a local level. Consequently, I am very glad to welcome the DecisionMaker Guide to Local Government, which now joins the DecisionMaker Guide to Parliament and Government. Together, these guides form a comprehensive and easy-to-read resource for everyone who wants to understand, and involve themselves in, our dual government systems.
Hon Chris Carter MP,
Minister of Local Government