STREAM 5: PROMOTING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL LOCAL POLITICAL GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

 By

 Karen Webster, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand

karen.webster@xtra.co.nz

 

Abstract

In his report to the Club of Rome, Pauli (2010) acknowledged that promoting sustainable development required the application of innovation and entrepreneurship. In a local political context, the role of elected members is critical to the adaptation of new approaches to resolve both scientific and social issues, at the local level. This paper draws on data from completed doctoral research that explored the views of New Zealand elected members with respect to their role in progressing urban sustainability. The New Zealand elected member role is compared with its counterpart in other western, liberal, democratic countries (Drage, 2008; Leach & Wilson, 2000; Mouritzen & Svara, 2002; Newnham & Winston, 1997; Webster, 2009). Elected members from five of New Zealand’s urban local authorities were surveyed on perceptions of their role and their councils’ progress towards urban sustainability, as described by the purpose of the Local Government Act 2002. The findings highlighted potential for a broader role than was evidenced for New Zealand elected members, one which encompasses cross-sector collaboration and multi-level governance (Webster 2010). In common with Pauli (2010), this paper emphasises the criticality of entrepreneurship and innovation in progressing sustainable development.

Abstract

In his report to the Club of Rome, Pauli (2010) acknowledged that promoting sustainable development required the application of innovation and entrepreneurship. In a local political context, the role of elected members is critical to the adaptation of new approaches to resolve both scientific and social issues, at the local level. This paper draws on data from completed doctoral research that explored the views of New Zealand elected members with respect to their role in progressing urban sustainability. The New Zealand elected member role is compared with its counterpart in other western, liberal, democratic countries (Drage, 2008; Leach & Wilson, 2000; Mouritzen & Svara, 2002; Newnham & Winston, 1997; Webster, 2009). Elected members from five of New Zealand’s urban local authorities were surveyed on perceptions of their role and their councils’ progress towards urban sustainability, as described by the purpose of the Local Government Act 2002. The findings highlighted potential for a broader role than was evidenced for New Zealand elected members, one which encompasses cross-sector collaboration and multi-level governance (Webster 2010). In common with Pauli (2010), this paper emphasises the criticality of entrepreneurship and innovation in progressing sustainable development.