Murray Sherwin is the Chair of the Productivity Commission. At the end of 2019 the Commission completed an inquiry into local government funding and financing. Government wanted to know whether any changes are needed to enable local authorities meet current and future cost pressures and other challenges. The Government has yet to respond.
The recommendations suggest changes from both central and local government. Come along and hear what the Commission discovered. For example, improving transparency of decision-making, using funding tools better, handling the threat of of climate change on local authority infrastructure and resetting the relationship with central government - these are just a few of the recommendations. Come and hear the rationale for the findings and recommendations and be ready to ask questions and express your views.
About our speaker - Murray Sherwin CNZM
Murray is an economist with over 40 years of experience in a wide variety of public policy roles. He has been Chair of the New Zealand Productivity Commission since it commenced operations in April 2011. The Commission – an independent Crown entity – conducts in-depth inquiry reports on topics selected by the Government, carries out productivity-related research, and promotes understanding of productivity issues
Murray’s previous appointments include: Chief Executive and Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand; member of the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank; and member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Group.