The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias. To celebrate we would like to introduce three fantastic new members of the Taituarā team. Going clockwise from the top we have Jen Coatham, Annie Bond and Wendy Moore. We feel so lucky to have you all on board!
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It’s a wrap: Five things Taituarā ‘nailed’ in 2021, and five things to look out for in 2022
With just a few weeks of 2021 to go, it’s a great time to reflect on this past year. Although the ongoing uncertainties presented by COVID-19 have kept us on our toes, the Taituarā team has kept busy and achieved a lot. We are also excited and looking forward to next year. So here are five things key things we’ve done in 2021, and five things to look out for in 2022.
Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou
Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou – Season’s greetings for Christmas and the New Year.
Managing local businesses’ licences and permits from across government in one place
Business Connect is an online platform where businesses can manage their licences and permits from across government in one place. The platform is centrally-funded and free for councils to use with their local businesses. This platform is initially focussed on the hospitality sector because it’s an industry with above average regulatory requirements and has been heavily impacted by the pandemic over the last couple of years.
Taituarā members recognised for long service
Thirty-one Taituarā members have been recognised for their long service to the local government sector at the Taituarā 2021 Annual General Meeting. With service periods ranging from 20 years all the way up to a whopping 50 years by Steve Paterson of Palmerston North City Council, these members have all made enormous contributions to their communities. We congratulate and thank them for their work.
Phil Wilson made a Taituarā Life Member
Phil Wilson recently stepped down after ten years on the Taituarā Executive, with the last four years as President. Taituarā has recognised his very considerable contributions to our organisation by making him a Life Member at the recent Taituarā 2021 Annual General Meeting. Thank you Phil for your unswerving support, energy, and dedication to our work in local government.
Accounting for SaaS arrangements
Digital transformation is a priority within local government and this has driven an exponential increase in the use of cloud computing technology like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). However, recent decisions by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) on the accounting for SaaS arrangements has caused many organisations to re-evaluate their accounting. Clive Brodie, Director of PwC New Zealand, provides advice for accountants on configuration and customisation expenditure.
COVID-19 guidance and support
The COVID-19 Local Government Response Unit was reactivated last week and, in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), we are releasing daily guidance and advice to support the sector through the recent COVID-19 outbreak and the associated Alert Levels – for both immediate challenges, and supporting evolving challenges. We also collate guidance from central government and other agencies. We meet twice daily, seven days a week to stay on top of the issues and release the ‘5.15’ later in the day.
Hastings housing on show
Last week more than 65 local government, central government, and iwi representatives gathered in Hastings for a showcase tour of the Hastings Place Based Housing Plan.
Accounting challenges in construction and infrastructure
Infrastructure such as utilities (e.g. water), transportation (e.g. roads and airports) and social infrastructure (e.g. affordable and social housing) play a direct role in supporting economic growth, enabling development and creating jobs and in addressing the challenges of growing populations and climate change writes Mariann Trieber, Director of PwC New Zealand.