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Local Legends: How To Make a Difference in Local Government
The essential guide to local government leadership
Local Legends is a guide to strategic leadership in local government for Councillors and Council managers.
Inside, local government leaders will find tools and strategies to:
Expand shared perspective.
Make full, fair and focused decisions.
Build trusting, collaborative relationships.
Balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
Design projects and policies to stand the test of time.
Align people and systems for organisational performance.
Packed with valuable insights and practical advice, Local Legends is an indispensable resource for local government policymakers, practitioners, and politicians.
Local Legends is a guide to strategic leadership in local government for Councillors and Council managers.
Inside, local government leaders will find tools and strategies to:
Expand shared perspective.
Make full, fair and focused decisions.
Build trusting, collaborative relationships.
Balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
Design projects and policies to stand the test of time.
Align people and systems for organisational performance.
Packed with valuable insights and practical advice, Local Legends is an indispensable resource for local government policymakers, practitioners, and politicians.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2026
About the author
Alicia McKay
3 books12 followersStrategic leadership expert Alicia McKay tackles the tricky stuff in life, work and leadership.
She is the author of three books, From Strategy to Action: A Guide to Getting Sh*t Done in the Public Sector, You Don’t Need an MBA: Leadership Lessons that Cut through the Crap (Major St Publishing, May 2021) and Local Legends: How to Make a Difference in Local Government, and is regularly published by industry magazines and online sources in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
An international authority on public sector strategy, change and leadership, Alicia was named one of the Top 25 Thinkers in Local Government by LGIU UK in 2025.
As well as her books and newsletter, she writes essays on power, politics, society and culture at
www.aliciamckay.co.nz
She is the author of three books, From Strategy to Action: A Guide to Getting Sh*t Done in the Public Sector, You Don’t Need an MBA: Leadership Lessons that Cut through the Crap (Major St Publishing, May 2021) and Local Legends: How to Make a Difference in Local Government, and is regularly published by industry magazines and online sources in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
An international authority on public sector strategy, change and leadership, Alicia was named one of the Top 25 Thinkers in Local Government by LGIU UK in 2025.
As well as her books and newsletter, she writes essays on power, politics, society and culture at
www.aliciamckay.co.nz
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 25, 2025
A must-read for anyone working in local government.
I’ve spent most of my communications career in the public sector, and even when I wasn’t technically in it, the work still had a statutory role for public good. Public service feels instinctive to me - I see every day the value, commitment, and care that colleagues across councils bring to their communities.
Local Legends captures that spirit better than anything I’ve read. Alicia McKay writes with such clarity and affection for local government - not as a glossy celebration, but as a candid, insightful look at the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Her observations feel instantly recognisable and, at times, uncomfortably accurate - but always constructive and hopeful.
Even though her experience is with Australian and New Zealand councils, so much of it transcends borders. I found myself nodding along, highlighting passages, and thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly it.” There’s also plenty that’s practical - from decision-making tools and approaches to a useful audit checklist which would be a really good basis for an initial team discussion.
I’ve ordered a few extra copies to share with colleagues because this book articulates what many of us know but sometimes struggle to say.
I’ve spent most of my communications career in the public sector, and even when I wasn’t technically in it, the work still had a statutory role for public good. Public service feels instinctive to me - I see every day the value, commitment, and care that colleagues across councils bring to their communities.
Local Legends captures that spirit better than anything I’ve read. Alicia McKay writes with such clarity and affection for local government - not as a glossy celebration, but as a candid, insightful look at the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Her observations feel instantly recognisable and, at times, uncomfortably accurate - but always constructive and hopeful.
Even though her experience is with Australian and New Zealand councils, so much of it transcends borders. I found myself nodding along, highlighting passages, and thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly it.” There’s also plenty that’s practical - from decision-making tools and approaches to a useful audit checklist which would be a really good basis for an initial team discussion.
I’ve ordered a few extra copies to share with colleagues because this book articulates what many of us know but sometimes struggle to say.
August 14, 2024
I quite liked this book and especially where she provided anecdotes to demonstrate her point eg Eiffel Tower. I thin k it should be compulsory reading for any Local Government Councillor or senior staff member. It got dragged down a little with some in deep analysis but I liked the chapter summaries.
September 18, 2024
This book provided great guidance on how to think big picture and get the most value for your council. I know I will come back to the content from this book often.
May 11, 2026
I received this book from the author at last year's International City/County Management Association (ICMA) conference. I loved her presentation to the conference and knew that would probably mean I would enjoy the book. The book is very well written. It is definitely geared towards a council-manager system of government, but she does a good job of including general advice that is applicable to all local governments. Even though I work in a strong mayor municipality, I found the information in her book to be incredibly useful. Definitely worth a read for anyone who is interested in working for local government.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews