Community boards in New Zealand
Body of local politicians in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Community boards in New Zealand are local government bodies that may be established for any continuous area within a territorial authority area, intended to represent and advocate for specific communities. As of 2026[update], there are 111 community boards across New Zealand. They are distinct from the local boards of Auckland Council.
| Community boards | |
|---|---|
Map of current community board areas | |
| Location | New Zealand |
| Number | 111 (as of 2025) |
History
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]
Legal status
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002, community boards are unincorporated bodies that are not local authorities nor a committee of the relevant territorial authority.[2]
According to a lawyer at the Nelson law firm Fletcher Vautier Moore, unincorporated in this context refers to the fact that community boards do not exist outside their members; there is no separate legal person.[3]
Functions
Community boards are currently governed by the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002[4] and can be created, or dissolved by territorial authorities. In addition Auckland has 21 local boards[5] and some councils have community committees.[6][7]
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:
- represent and act as an advocate for the interests of the community;
- consider and report on any matter referred to it by their council, and any issues of interest to the community board;
- make an annual submission to their council on expenditure;
- maintain an overview of services provided by their council within the community; and
- communicate with community organisations and special interest groups in the community, and undertake any other responsibilities delegated by their council.[8]
Boards can have powers delegated to them by councils, but cannot own land, or employ staff.[9]
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[10] and, in Southland, to spend up to $300,000 on projects.[11] In Thames-Coromandel boards have control of local harbours, parks, halls, libraries, airfields, swimming pools, toilets, cemeteries, buses, planning, grants, economic development and bylaws.[12]
List of community boards
Similar entities
The Auckland Council operates 21 local boards, which function similarly to community boards. They manage local events, libraries, parks and other facilities. Each local board has 5 to 9 elected members.[28]
The Marlborough District Council operates the Picton Regional Forum, which was established after the local government decided to merge the former Picton Ward and the Pelorus/Northern Marlborough Sounds Ward into the single Marlborough Sounds Ward. It serves as a platform for local organisations to discuss and make recommendations on high-level strategic issues.[29] Its members are officials from local companies, residents' associations and interest groups.[30]