New Regionalism: Toward a new central-regional partnership

The new National-led Government has made clear calls for less central government, more infrastructure, and potential devolution. A great deal of responsibility could land on the regions to help get New Zealand moving. However, systems and processes are needed to balance increased regional powers with Cabinet prioritisation. It will be important to get the right balance between devolution and subsidiarity.

To be successful, the new Government and regions need to acknowledge and address the emerging paradox. There is tension between policies that promise increased central Cabinet control, discipline, and devolution on one hand, and increased regional subsidiarity on the other. To see a way to the future, it will be critical to resolve both this paradox and the great burden of many unfunded mandates.