While the central government deals with issues relevant to New Zealand and its people as a nation, local government exists "to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities", and "to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses."
The central government focuses on issues affecting New Zealand as a whole, whereas local government serves to empower community-driven decision-making and actions, with the goal of meeting the present and future requirements of communities through efficient provision of local infrastructure, public services, and regulatory functions.