Local government law is the legislative framework within which councils and other local authorities operate. The principal pieces of legislation are the Local Government Acts of 1974 and 2002, with other associated legislation including the Local Electoral Act, the Local Government (Rating) Act, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act and the Public Works Act.

Tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi issues are part and parcel of local government these days, and the prospect of co-governance arrangements between local authorities and iwi and other tangata whenua groups is becoming a growing consideration.