The Bay of Plenty-based council-controlled company which aims to offer shared services for local councils has been praised by Local Government Minister, Rodney Hide.


Speaking at today’s Society of Local Government Managers or SOLGM conference, the Minister says on top of all BOPLASS’s existing shared services arrangements it is also aiming to introduce at least one new shared service a year.  

“I commend the company for this goal which will ensure the benefits for ratepayers will continue to grow into the future.
He said the aims for the company included providing improved levels of quality and service, reductions in costs of administration services; and the savings created by having an organisation representing many councils.

Mr Hide said there are a number of other councils around the country working to provide shared services. “Palmerston North City Council provides an award-winning after-hours phone service to the local government market. 

“The centre is able to deliver high quality service to over 25 councils across the country. This work has enabled other councils to deliver higher levels of customer service and reduce costs on their phone services while Palmerston North increases revenue for the benefit of its citizens.

The Manawatu-Wanganui Local Authority Shared Services Ltd is working to pull together its region’s archives.

Five councils will join their archives together on one database, which already includes the archives of both the Wanganui District Council and Palmerston North City Council.