The Minister of Local Government is a minister in the New Zealand Government with responsibility for supporting and overseeing New Zealand's local government system.
The current minister is Simon Watts.
The position also has a role supporting the relationship between central government and local government, oversight of the Local Government Commission, and acts as the territorial authority for the 11 islands that are not part of a local authority's district and as the harbour authority for Lake Taupà Â.
The portfolio was established in 1972, prior to which, local government had been within the purview of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Notwithstanding the separation of those responsibilities, the offices of Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Local Government were held by the same person for the first twelve years that a separate local government portfolio existed. The Minister of Local Government is still supported by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The following ministers have held the office of Minister of Local Government.