Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says proposed legislation will make it harder for a repeat of financial disasters like the LA Galaxy football match in Auckland.
The Auckland Regional Council lost $1.88 million hosting the match, which featured England star David Beckham, in December 2008.
A report from the Auditor General says the match was, in essence, the wrong event, at the wrong time, for the wrong place. The number of tickets sold was well below what was expected and expenses were higher.
Mr Hide told Summer Report that proposed legislation will get councils to focus on core business rather than risky commercial ventures.
Ratepayers would also be told ahead of local authority elections what their council is planning to spend, he said.
