Local and central government officials are taking a strong line on climate change: wanting to act stronger and more collaboratively to make change.
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta speaks on the final day of the annual Local Government conference. Photo: Supplied / Mark Tantrum
New Zealand's climate future was a central topic on the final day of the annual Local Government conference in Palmerston North, simultaneously in a week that has seen severe weather nationwide.
Local Government minister Nanaia Mahuta told the crowd of mayors, councillors, and other sector workers that she was aware a lot of change was on the table, but slowing down came at the risk of moving backwards.
"We are not experiencing those one-in-100 year events that were forecast some 10 or 20 years ago," she said.
"It is happening more frequently and is taking a toll in many of our communities."
She told RNZ that meant better collaboration was needed.
"Without a doubt, we need both central and local government working together, alongside communities, to respond to the most difficult aspects of these severe weather events that communities are facing."
To the crowd, she took a hit at previous Local Government ministers - saying some of them would just "travel through" the portfolio instead of engaging with the sector.
But she thought people were now recognising the importance of working together.
That was something echoed by the mayors of Buller, Napier and Gisborne - areas that are no stranger to the impacts of severe weather events and climate change.
Napier mayor Kirsten Wise agreed with Mahuta on the performance of previous ministers and felt that played a role in the state of relations between central and local politics.
"For a very, very long time local goverment has actually wanted a stronger relationship with the central government ... but then the proof is in the pudding."
Wise, unlike her Gisborne and Buller counterparts, was cautious of the pace of change, saying she would rather things were done right rather than fast.
Napier mayor Kirsten Wise says people on high-risk land need to start being told government won't be able to continue supporting them. Photo: RNZ / Jake McKee
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine felt improving relations and working closer together would be "a really good opportunity to start test-driving some future government policy".
"We certainly need to start making those plans now."
Gisborne's Rehette Stoltz highlighted the nature of how many parties were involved could make things complex.
The trio of mayors said one conversation to be had was about moving high-risk locations to places more protected from climate change.
Wise said people in high-risk zones needed to start being told they could not continue being supported to stay where they were - something that would "absolutely" need the support of central government.
She said a key part of that came down to the funding local government were given.
Cleine said people need to understand the science and what it meant for where they lived.
"It challenges peoples understanding of private property, and what they can and can't do."
Stoltz was all too aware of how easily this could become a divisive topic between councils with government not wanting it to eventuate similarly to how the Three Waters reforms played out.
"We need to rise above; this is much bigger than individual, little discussions", she said in response to a question about what individual council bodies needed to do to better work together themselves.
Minister Nanaia Mahuta told RNZ managed retreat conversations were "necessary", circling back to improving unity between central and local government.
"We must remain committed to a central/local government partnership that works together on the hardest issues but also keeps the dialogue open so we that can properly debate what a way forward can look like when we collaborate and work closely together."
