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 New Zealandportal |
In New Zealand, community boards are sub-district, unincorporated local government bodies that may be established for any continuous area in a territorial authority district. [1] They are intended to represent and advocate for specific communities within a council catchment area. As of 2025 [update] , there are around 110 community boards across New Zealand. [2]
Community boards were first established as part of the 1989 local government reforms, with 159 community boards created. Community boards had been preceded as sub-municipal bodies by community councils, 139 of which existed at the time of the 1989 reforms. [1]
In 2010, 28 community boards were disestablished when the Auckland Council was formed. [1]
Community boards are currently governed by the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 [3] and can be created, or dissolved by territorial authorities. In addition Auckland has 21 local boards [4] and some councils have community committees. [5] [6]
Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, boards must have at least four members but not more than twelve. At least four must be elected members, but up to half can be appointed by the council. [1]
Their purpose is to:
Boards can have powers delegated to them by councils, but cannot own land, or employ staff. [8]
Levels of delegation vary greatly: 25 councils (60%) give boards power to make community grants, 11 (26%) power to run parks and reserves, 10 (24%) power to run community centres and sports and recreation [9] and, in Southland, to spend up to $300,000 on projects. [10] In Thames-Coromandel boards have control of local harbours, parks, halls, libraries, airfields, swimming pools, toilets, cemeteries, buses, planning, grants, economic development and bylaws. [11]