Back to Bills (proposed laws)

Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill

Government Bill
Published date: 04 Jul 2026

Bills are proposals to make a new law or to change an existing one. Only Parliament can pass a bill. Each bill goes through several stages, giving MPs and the public the chance to have their say.

This primary policy objective of this bill is to reduce pressure on council rates by refocusing the purpose of local government, better measuring and publicising council performance, prioritising core services in council spending, strengthening council accountability and transparency, and providing regulatory relief to councils.
person
MP in charge
Hon Simon Watts
groups
Committee
Governance and Administration
confirmation_number Bill No.180-2
account_balance54Parliament
description

Read the bill

Link to NZ Legislation website

description

Amendment Papers

Link to NZ Legislation website

Progress of the Bill

  • Committee of Whole House
  • 3
    Third Reading
  • Royal Assent
House sitting
Stage Sitting DateCalendar DateOutcome Type
Second Reading 23 Apr 202623 Apr 2026Interrupted Normal
Second Reading 23 Jun 202624 Jun 2026Interrupted Extended
Second Reading 30 Jun 202602 Jul 2026Interrupted Urgency
info_outline
Second Reading

The House debates and votes on the bill and any changes suggested by the select committee.

A "sitting day" can last more than one day when the House is in urgency or an extended sitting. In this case, all business is officially recorded as happening on the date the sitting started (the sitting date), even if the actual date (the calendar date) is different. Find out more.

Resources

  • Member(s) in charge: Hon Simon Watts
    Type of Bill: Government
    Parliament: 54
    Bill no: 180-2
    Introduction: 13 Jul 2025
    First reading agreed: 17 Jul 2025
    Referred to: Governance and Administration
    Submissions due: 22 Jul 2025
    Select Committee Report(s):
    Second reading interrupted: 30 Jun 2026

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