Craig Jepson

For all the noise about “simplifying” local government in Northland, one question remains unanswered: where has bigger ever proven better? No one can point to a single example in New Zealand where amalgamation has delivered lower costs, better services, or stronger communities.

This country needs to respect and celebrate all cultures. We need to maintain our wonderful democracy and not slide down the path to a country dominated by the interests of a single racial or ethnic group. Our vote to disestablish the Māori ward was about preserving all that is good about our freedom for all to participate in a well-functioning democracy.