The role of local authority associations in the political process

Abstract

This thesis seeks to assess the role played by local authority associations in the political process in New Zealand. The work has been prompted by a realisation of the somewhat unique position occupied by groups of this nature. Although they are associations of units of the lower strata of government, in making claims upon the Central Government, and in defending their position against encroachment from Government they are forced to play a role which is essentially 'non governmental'. But in executing this role they have not at their disposal many of the weapons which a private organisation could call upon if it was forced to carry out a similar function. The associations operate within a highly structured relationship to the administrative agencies and this, together with their institutionalisation, endows them with an overdose of legitimacy which is detrimental to effective role function, at least, that is, so far as satisfying the demands of their participants is concerned. However it has enabled them to be set in the alternate role of adjunct to Central Government.