Lesson 3.1: How Local Government Works

The System That Shapes Your Neighbourhood

Students learn about the role and responsibilities of local councils, exploring how these systems directly impact their daily lives, from the parks they play in to the water they drink.

Whakatūwhera - Cultural Opening

The principle of `kaitiakitanga` teaches us that we all have a responsibility to be guardians of our place—our `whenua`. Local government is the system our community uses to practice kaitiakitanga. It's how we collectively care for our environment, our resources, and the wellbeing of everyone who lives here. Today we explore this system to understand how it works, and how we can be part of it.

Ngā Whāinga Ako - Learning Intentions

Students Will Learn

The main **responsibilities** of a local council.
The difference between a **mayor** and a **councillor**.
How local government decisions **impact their daily lives**.

Students Will Demonstrate

By sorting council services into the correct categories.
By analyzing a local community issue.
By proposing a solution to their local "council" (the class).

Ngā Mahi - Lesson Activities (75 minutes)

1. What Does a Council Actually Do? (20 mins)

Teacher-led discussion: Brainstorm services students have used in the last week (e.g., drank tap water, put out rubbish, went to a park or library). Explain that local councils are responsible for these.

Activity: Council Services Card Sort. In groups, students get a set of cards with different services (e.g., "Fixing potholes," "Building hospitals," "Running the library," "Setting foreign policy"). They must sort them into two columns: "Local Council Responsibility" and "Central Government Responsibility."

Download Printable Services Cards

2. Community Issues Investigation (35 mins)

Group Task: Each group chooses a local issue relevant to young people.

Example Issues:

Not enough safe cycle lanes
The local skate park is old and broken
Not enough activities for teenagers
Too much litter in the local park

Investigation Steps:

Define the problem: What is the issue and who does it affect?
Propose a solution: What is one clear action the council could take?
Justify it: Why is this a good use of council resources?

3. Present to the "Council" (20 mins)

Each group has 2 minutes to present their issue and proposed solution to the class, who act as the "councillors." After all presentations, the class votes on which issue they would fund if they had a limited budget.

Differentiation:

Support: Provide a presentation template with sentence starters.
Extension: Ask students to research the actual process for making a submission to their local council.

Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps

Formative Assessment

Did the group correctly sort the council services?
Was their proposed solution clear and well-justified?
Did they participate respectfully in the "council" meeting?

Homework & Extension

Find out the name of your local mayor and one councillor.
Visit your local council's website and find one project they are currently working on.

Whakaaro - Reflection

Central government deals with the big picture, but local government is the system that shapes the world right outside our door. Understanding how this system works is the first step to having a voice in the decisions that affect our daily lives. It is how we practice kaitiakitanga and ensure our community is a place where everyone can thrive.