Councils are the democratic representation of the communities they serve. The decisions, projects, and plans that councils implement reflect local values, priorities, and aspirations. This makes local government unique -it is a direct expression of how we, as a community decide to grow, develop, and live together.
Councillors are elected by you, the people, to make important decisions that shape your town or city. These decisions affect how businesses grow, how families thrive, how healthy our communities and environment are, and whether people feel safe, connected, and supported.
Under the Local Government Act 2002, the purpose of local government is clearly defined as:
“To enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future.”
Councils play a vital role:
- They represent community needs and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities.
- They deliver essential services -water, rubbish collection, libraries, roads, and parks.
- They support community voice, transparency, and accountability.
Importantly, your Council is not a business. It does not exist to generate profit, but to serve the public good. While it must manage budgets and infrastructure responsibly, and it can generate revenue to do so, its core mission is fairness, equity, and wellbeing.
We often hear opinions that “the Council should run like a business.” But councils are governed by public law, not company law. They are legally and ethically required to operate transparently, consult the community, and remain accountable. Financial responsibility is essential -but being financially responsible is not the same as being profit-driven.
When we treat community wellbeing like a commodity:
- Community needs risk being sidelined in favour of cost-cutting or efficiency.
- Decisions may prioritise commercial partnerships over public good.
- Vulnerable communities may lose access to vital services.
- Staff and ratepayers may be treated as units of cost, rather than people with rights.
Running a Council is complex, with many moving parts that often go unseen – from roads and pavements, to public health, economic development, biodiversity, and community wellbeing. While our council does many things well -and the Long-Term Plan, strategies, and blueprints are impressive – there is always room to do better.
Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab Candidate HDC. 