NZQA registered unit standard / 14951 version 3
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Title / Demonstrate introductory knowledge and understanding of New Zealand local government
Level / 4 / Credits / 5
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the structure, purposes, and powers of New Zealand's local government; and explain how New Zealand citizens as individuals and/or as groups participate in local government.
Classification / Public Sector Services > Public Sector Core Skills
Available grade / Achieved

Explanatory notes

1This unit standard is intended for people who are, or intend to be, employed in the public sector.

2Definition

Public sector refers to the State sector (central Government), including the Public Service, crown entities, non-uniformed staffs of the services and forces, offices of Parliament; and all local authorities (local Government), including local authority trading enterprises (LATEs).

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Describe the structure, purposes, and powers of New Zealand's local government.

Evidence requirements

1.1The description identifies different local government organisations in New Zealand, and explains the composition of each.

Rangeregional councils, territorial authorities (city councils, district councils, community boards), unitary authorities.

1.2The description outlines the purposes and powers of local government organisations.

Rangeexamples of organisations include but are not limited to – regional councils, city councils, district councils, community boards;

evidence of three examples is required.

1.3Given a situation, the candidate is able to describe the relationship between local and central governments.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – roles of the Minister of Local Government, Local Government Commission, Higher Salaries Commission, Department of Internal Affairs, Office of the Auditor General.

1.4The description explains compliance with governance requirements of Local Government legislation.

Outcome 2

Explain how New Zealand citizens as individuals and/or as groups participate in local government.

Evidence requirements

2.1The explanation outlines citizen participation through the electoral process.

Rangefranchise, elections, voting procedures, review of membership and basis of election.

2.2The explanation outlines citizen participation through representation to Council.

Rangeexamples include but are not limited to – access to Mayor and councillors, right to public information, select committees, citizen initiated petitions and referendums, lobby groups, annual plan, special consultative procedures, long term Council community plan, funding policy, district plan, strategic plan;

evidence of three examples is required.

2.3The explanation outlines citizen participation through appeal to public sector bodies to protect rights and interests.

Rangeexamples of public sector bodies include but are not limited to –

Mayor, councillor(s) and/or Council, Environment Court, Ombudsman, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Office of the Auditor General, Privacy Commissioner;

evidence of three examples is required.

Planned review date / 31 December 2013

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment
Registration / 1 / 31 August 1998 / 31 December 2012
Review / 2 / 27 May 2003 / 31 December 2012
Review / 3 / 20 May 2011
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0121

This CMR can be accessed at

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact The Skills Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018