The ever-patient editor of this worthy news sheet has asked me to pause my freely wandering opinion piece programme for several weeks to allow me to concentrate on matters pertaining to the forthcoming local body elections.
Peter Carr
There are some who may feel that I have a critical bias towards council-like organisations but let me first declare that I experienced 12 years as an elected representative in Wellington in my thirties and forties. I learned to live with, suffer from, become frustrated with etc etc the bureaucratic systems and historical prejudice that abounded at that time.
That is well behind me now, my hair is much thinner, totally grey and hopefully I have become wiser along the way. Perhaps the next few months will measure that!
The local bodies (for us Waipā district and Waikato region) are bound by very strict rules during the leadup to an election. The first is that nominations for prospective candidates do not close until August 1. So, at this stage I will refrain from mentioning any one person – either elected or hoping to be elected – together with professional officers.
District, regional and city councils are at a crossroads. The current government appears to be rushing a bill through the House that waters down their main operational targets while capping their mainstream income. One can feel some sympathy for both governance and management currently.
Secondly most councils appear to be moving towards combining their water-related activities onto a group (shared) basis. They will be able to markedly reduce their staff numbers and free up buildings for optional uses.
Thirdly there are public discussions relating to the professional governance inability of many elected members around the board tables. In fact, one local (ex-MP) mayoral candidate for the nearby city suggesting a small (and apparently wiser) over-arching board sitting above a smaller number of councillors.
And lastly a growing number of councils are tearing themselves away from their advisory body – Local Government New Zealand – while questioning its effectiveness and cost. Curiously as I write this that body’s annual conference is just concluding in Christchurch. More on them in the next opinion piece. In the minister’s conference speech (now known as ‘Bish’s Bash’) he was hugely critical of, in his view, the uncooperative and stultifying culture that prevails within councils.
Moving forward I will regularly beseech all our readers to take up their rightful place as voters. A voting number well on the south side of 40 per cent is not only abysmal – but reeks of lack of interest – until the council makes a decision that affects you directly.
So… please vote. There is a very simple postal system that will land in your letterbox. Your views, your choice of candidate, your clear message to the council tables sets the scene for balanced and honest government.
After the debate: Mayoral candidates Jim Mylchreest, Susan O’Regan and Chris Woodhams with debate moderator Peter Carr. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
