Local Government Act 2002 No 84 (as at 23 September 2009), Public Act

14 Principles relating to local authorities
  • (1) In performing its role, a local authority must act in accordance with the following principles:

    • (a) a local authority should—

      • (i) conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner; and

      • (ii) give effect to its identified priorities and desired outcomes in an efficient and effective manner:

    • (b) a local authority should make itself aware of, and should have regard to, the views of all of its communities; and

    • (c) when making a decision, a local authority should take account of—

      • (i) the diversity of the community, and the community's interests, within its district or region; and

      • (ii) the interests of future as well as current communities; and

      • (iii) the likely impact of any decision on each aspect of well-being referred to in section 10:

    • (d) a local authority should provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to its decision-making processes:

    • (e) a local authority should collaborate and co-operate with other local authorities and bodies as it considers appropriate to promote or achieve its priorities and desired outcomes, and make efficient use of resources; and

    • (f) a local authority should undertake any commercial transactions in accordance with sound business practices; and

    • (g) a local authority should ensure prudent stewardship and the efficient and effective use of its resources in the interests of its district or region; and

    • (h) in taking a sustainable development approach, a local authority should take into account—

      • (i) the social, economic, and cultural well-being of people and communities; and

      • (ii) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and

      • (iii) the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.

    (2) If any of these principles, or any aspects of well-being referred to in section 10, are in conflict in any particular case, the local authority should resolve the conflict in accordance with the principle in subsection (1)(a)(i).