Local Government Act 2002

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 actively seek to collaborate and co-operate with other local authorities and bodies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which it achieves its identified priorities and desired outcomes; and

(f)

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

(fa)

a local authority should periodically—

(i)

assess the expected returns to the authority from investing in, or undertaking, a commercial activity; and

(ii)

satisfy itself that the expected returns are likely to outweigh the risks inherent in the investment or activity; 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, including by planning effectively for the future management of its assets; 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).

Section 14(1)(c)(iii): replaced, on 14 May 2019, by section 7(1) of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 17).

Section 14(1)(e): replaced, on 8 August 2014, by section 8(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 55).

Section 14(1)(fa): inserted, on 27 November 2010, by section 6 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 124).

Section 14(1)(g): replaced, on 8 August 2014, by section 8(2) of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 55).

Section 14(1)(h)(i): amended, on 14 May 2019, by section 7(2) of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 17).

Section 14(2): amended, on 14 May 2019, by section 7(3) of the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 17).

Section 14(2): amended, on 5 December 2012, by section 8(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).