“People Power” has forced the Government to change the law to strengthen local government democracy.
This is a major win for everyone who raised the alarm about the tribal takeover of local government that’s now underway all around New Zealand. From individuals, to media, think tanks, lobby groups, councillors, and politicians – each person who spoke out strongly against the violation of democracy that’s been going on helped ensure the powers that be could no longer turn a blind eye.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts explained the detail: “Councillors are directly accountable to voters for their decisions. We are amending the Local Government Act 2002 so only elected members hold voting rights at council committee meetings.
“Councils and the public nationwide have raised concerns about individuals holding voting rights on council committees, undermining decision-making and diluting the influence of democratically elected members… That’s not democratic, so we’re fixing it.
“Councils can still appoint non-elected members… but those appointments will not come with voting rights or count towards a quorum.”
He mentioned there will be exemptions, including special arrangements set up in Treaty settlements, and he explained that councils will have six months to review their delegations and appointments before the law change takes effect.
The Government’s actions are in response to the growing public outcry over the fact that tribal corporations – motivated by power and greed – are hijacking local councils by forcing the appointment of iwi representatives as advisers on influential committees and then demanding voting rights.
Controversy surrounding the Far North District Council brought matters to a head. Not satisfied with having four Maori seats (including the Mayor) on a council of eleven, iwi leaders wanted absolute control of the influential Te Kuaka Committee for Maori Strategic Relationships – seemingly to act as a conduit through which the tribal agenda could be fed into the political system.
As a result, the Council appointed ten iwi representatives with voting rights onto the Committee of seven elected councillors – including all four from the Maori seats. Mayor Moko Tepania attempted to ease public outrage with assurances the Committee was “advisory” only and decisions would require full council approval.
However, during an extraordinary Committee meeting on April 20, the important step to pass a recommendation to establish co-governance for a recently acquired reserve onto the full council for final sign-off was deliberately ignored, with the agreement signed and sealed by the Committee, then celebrated with pre-ordered platters of hot sausage rolls and savouries.
It was a scandalous deal that had appalling origins. Back in 2021, a local GP who owned a waterfront section gained approval from the council to remove part of an old Pohutukawa tree on his property to make way for his retirement home. Local Maori, however, claimed the tree was historically significant and illegally occupied the site to prevent the landowner building his house on his own private land.
While trespass notices were issued by the Police no enforcement action was taken to remove the protestors. After a bitter two-year occupation, the council bought the land at a discounted price to resolve the dispute.
The “Kaitiaki” co-governance agreement authorised by the Te Kuaka Committee completed the circle. By effectively handing the land to the iwi that had illegally occupied the site for two years, the council set a dangerous precedent: a radical group that engaged in unlawful trespass and occupation was rewarded with a lucrative co-governance deal, complete with official status and prestige. This sends a clear and disturbing message — that blockades, trespass, and illegal seizure can succeed with law-breakers granted governance powers over the very land they occupied.
This raises serious questions about the integrity of the decision-making process. The Te Kuaka Committee, which drove the agreement, included iwi representatives with clear connections to the occupation groups. In any normal governance setting, people with such obvious conflicts of interest would be expected to recuse themselves. Instead, a committee heavily aligned with the occupiers was allowed to approve a co-governance deal granting them official status and control over the site. This breaches basic principles of natural justice, transparency, and objective decision-making.
The partnership agreement between the Council and iwi states the Treaty of Waitangi is “the founding document of our ongoing relationship as partners to this agreement.” But the claim that the council is in “partnership” with local Maori flies in the face of the 2025 Hart v Marlborough District Council ruling, which determined that councils have “no” Treaty obligations beyond those explicitly mandated by Parliament in their legislation. Since the only legal responsibility councils have is to notify local Maori of consultation opportunities, this co-governance deal effectively strips power from the voting public and replaces democratic accountability with a system of selective privilege, where backroom concessions carry more weight than the ballot box.
On top of this, the Far North District Council has disclosed it is expecting to sign five more “partnership” agreements with local iwi in the near future.
Such a calculated subversion of local democracy is part of a mad scramble that’s currently underway as tribal groups around the country sign and seal partnership deals with councils ahead of the proposed Resource Management Act reforms becoming law.
The problem the country faces is that instead of the Coalition terminating all undemocratic agreements with iwi that councils have secretly entered into over the years, they intend carrying them forward into their new RMA replacement – the Planning and Natural Environment Bills.
This is totally unacceptable. From the subversion of democracy in the co-governance agreement just signed in the Far North, to the multitude of Mana Whakahono a Rohe arrangements – which are initiated by iwi and represent a scandalous drain on ratepayer resources — to various other iwi agreements put in place over the years, these deals are a primary reason the RMA has become dysfunctional.
Accordingly, they should all be cancelled when the new planning regime comes into force.
Unless People Power can be harnessed to convince the Coalition that no tribal deals should be included in the new planning regime, iwi will continue to use the current delay in progressing the legislation as a window of opportunity to embed not only their position of privilege, but the lucrative income streams that flow from fabricated cultural assessment mandates and extortionate “compensation” demands like the $180 million currently being claimed from a mining company.
The Coalition was also elected on the promise they would repeal the Labour Government’s Three Waters legislation which introduced tribal co-governance.
While that’s been done and the mandatory co-governance structures put in place by Labour have been removed from their replacement scheme “Local Water Done Well”, by failing to rule out the involvement of self-interested iwi, the new scheme is morphing Three Waters by a different name.
The problem is that by leaving Councils free to choose how much tribal involvement they wanted, those that have already been ‘captured’ by iwi, are giving them essentially the same rights the public demanded be removed from Three Waters. Worse, they are doing this without any regard for the opinions of residents and ratepayers.
In Wellington, the five metropolitan councils — Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and Greater Wellington Regional Council — have established Tiaki Wai as a Council-Controlled Organisation operating in partnership with iwi. As expected, iwi are heavily influencing the overall direction, not only through Board of Director appointments, but also by embedding “Te Mana o te Wai” in the organisation’s values and planning to ensure a financially rewarding and enduring involvement!
In Hamilton, the new water entity, IAWAI, is a CCO jointly owned by Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council in partnership with iwi. Three members from each council and three from iwi form the partnership oversight body, which has already entrenched Te Mana o te Wai into all decision-making. While the Board of Directors is skills-based, appointees were sought with strong tribal links and as a result three of the six Board members have iwi affiliations.
What all of this means is that in spite of the Coalition Government being elected on a promise of stopping co-governance and preventing race-based policy, their failure to directly enforce these requirements in local government is resulting in Local Water Done Well having the same inherent failings of Three Waters.
People Power is the only way this can be stopped.
While the Minister’s plan to prevent unelected representatives on Council Committees having voting rights is to be applauded, he needs to extend the new restrictions to all CCOs including Local Water Done Well.
On top of that, it is crucial that he stops unelected “advisors” becoming permanent appointees on council committees – not only because their lucrative financial packages are an expensive drain on ratepayer resources, but to prevent the bullying and intimidation of councillors who oppose their recommendations.
Finally, there’s also an opportunity for People Power to delay the Coalition’s headlong rush to disestablish Regional Councils, which risks turning small, well-managed councils into faceless, unaccountable behemoths – as this week’s NZCPR Guest Commentator Fiona Mackenzie explains:
“Government Ministers Simon Watts and Chris Bishop have given councils just another two months to propose mergers or face imposed restructuring, which they say will simplify and strengthen “local voices”. But it would pay to be sceptical of their motivation.
“Auckland’s imposed amalgamation in 2010 should serve as a warning, not as a blueprint. It shows how such constructs can leave ratepayers funding their own political marginalisation at an ever-increasing rate.
“The promise was stronger representation, lower costs, and greater efficiency. The reality in Auckland has been the opposite, with the Council becoming a sprawling and expensive bureaucracy where decision-making is remote, cumbersome, and increasingly dominated by unelected officials, interest groups and the tribal elite…
“Remember that Auckland’s so-called Super City has delivered:
- More distant governance and weaker accountability.
- CCOs controlling resources (such as water) and infrastructure with appointed boards and deals with tribal interests.
- Higher costs, rising debt, and wasteful spending.
- Larger bureaucracies and less transparency.
- Legalised race-based ‘corruption’, expanded tribal influence and control, co-governance and co-management frameworks, decolonisation programmes, and race-based spending.
“The inevitable conclusion is that amalgamation does not strengthen democracy. It concentrates power further away from ratepayers while rewarding incompetence, inefficiency and greed.”
As Fiona points out, no definitive argument has been made to convince voters that bigger local government is better. In fact, it flies in the face of arrangements all over the world where governments are at pains to ensure local communities are well served by smaller councils that meet their needs and give them a sense of connection and belonging.
The rushed amalgamation should be put on hold until after the election when there is time for proper community engagement – including a local referendum asking residents and ratepayers for their preferred option. To date, the public, which local councils are supposed to serve, has been left out of the conversation.
New Zealanders must never forget the “Power of the People”. It may sometimes appear a thankless task contacting MPs and sharing your views, but what is clear is that if enough voters present the case for change, politicians will listen – especially in election year.
With parties now in full campaign mode, the Coalition has both the opportunity and the responsibility to finish what it started: extend the ban on unelected voting rights from council committees to all CCOs, including Local Water Done Well schemes; prevent unelected advisors from becoming permanent fixtures on Council committees; and put the rushed regional council amalgamation plans on hold until after the election so communities can have a genuine say.
The battle for local democracy is not over. If the Coalition fails to act decisively, the tribal capture of local government will continue — not because the public wants it, but because too many councils have already been captured by iwi interests.
The Coalition has the opportunity to stop it – can People Power convince it to do so?
Please note: the email addresses for all MPs – and local body councillors – can be found on our “Have Your Say” page HERE.
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THIS WEEK’S POLL ASKS:
*Should the time frame for the amalgamation of local councils to be extended to give the public an opportunity to have the final say?
*Poll comments are posted below.
*All NZCPR poll results can be seen in the Archive.
THIS WEEK’S POLL COMMENTS
| These councils, have been caught Red-handed, in corruption, to be sitting on boards, none of them were voted by the Public….. are we going to see, futher action being taken over this? The Central govt. know about this, but not a word about this from LUXON, and National? Why haven’t M.SM reported up to date news on this issue? | David |
| I don’t think bigger is better, just look at Auckland it’s a right bloody mess, rates have gone way way though the roof. | COLIN |
| Agreed/democratic way forward | Brian |
| The involved public – those paying taxs and rates should have a say in such amalgamations. They may work in some areas – like urban conurbations; they fall short in rural-urban districts. | Peter |
| But, its all to little to late, for Aotearoa…. the country is on its way to hell… in a handbasket, if you hadn’t noticed….LUXFLAKE, saying that national are going to fix the basics??I wonder how National are going to do that? They’ve never fixed anything, in this country, except giving tax cuts and tax breaks, to the ruling elite, in N.Z, everything, is disintegrating, falling apart, if you hadn’t noticed, all going the same way as Arderns, slow motion TRAINWRECK… GOD HELP US! | David |
| SUCH AMALGAMATIONS NEED VERY CAREFUL PLANNING AND JUSTIFICATION. BIG IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. | Bruce |
| Won’t happen at this stage…. to much IWI control, the NATIONAL GOVT.have not kept their promises, and LUXFLAKE has now been seen to be a Coward, and refuses to listen to KIWIS always Kowtowing to the Global Inter-National World Order Cabal, that promote war,and woke- politics, they also are not going to give up their selfish agenda = GLOBAL WORLD GOVERNANCE! They ALL HAVE TO BE STOPPED S.O.P!! | David |
| It most cerytainly should be extended. | Dene |
| Get on with it | David |
| I thought Wellington had previously rejected amalgamation on the basis of the Auckland shambles. The opposite has happened to everything they promised. | Denis |
| for too long– NZ councils and MPs have listened to, and been persuaded by maori rhetoric, It is also long known, that maori peoples did not buy what they refer to “as their land ” Their forebears arrived from another land-as we all did, but those of us who own land –have bought it– not assumed we can own what we have not bought. For far too long, this behaviour has been foremost in the media, who do not have the gumption to publish the truth The untrue rhetoric has to be seen as it is. A story to gain control and be financed by those who have worked hard to earn money to purchase land, dwellings and all the necessities of life Not take for granted they are “owed” what they want | Jenny |
| The country is doomed by apathy, laziness,and stupidity, and the rising, bubbling pot of racial evil. | Russell |
| This matter is extremely serious! We the people have been sidelined and left out of these plans. Remember our Three Waters fight? This is even more important. | Trevor |
| Aucklands supercity is still failing Aucklanders, let that be the lesson for other NZ areas! | Sheila |
| No unelected voting rights | Mark |
| Auckland ratepayers are funding separatism and activism. No wonder our rates are going up and the sewage infrastructure can’t keep up with housing developments. https://www.localmatters.co.nz/events/community/te-tiriti-o-waitangi-workshop/ | Anon |
| Of course we should, we pay the bills | Chris |
| There are some major decisions to be made re Maori. Maori radicals are not in NZ for the benefit of all NZers. They always have sought power, control, it’s all about them. | Maurice |
| No Regional Council input should be accepted | Rodney |
| Rate payers must have a say on amalgamation or Not. Auckland is a disaster, the hidden costs, the lack of transparency and cultural over reach cannot go on. National has failed to address last election promises, now they are creating a distraction with this issue. National party have become the new left labour party. we are being blindsided. | Sam |
| NO… as we have seen when more power is extended, to these ratbags…. power gets abused, and PUBLIC SAY, IS TOTALLY OMMITED, This is the reason why PEOPLES DEMOCRACY IS BEING DESTROYED! The people have LESS SAY, in everything, so keep these power abusers away from ALL LEVERS OF POWER.The levers of power, belong to the PEOPLE… They pay HUGE TAXES, MUCH MORE PEOPLE POWER PLEASE, LESS ON UN-NEEDED ADMINISTRATION, AND PAPER SHUFFLING! | David |
| People pay rates to make their region a healthier happier place to be no provide back had payments to iwis to enable ProRes for all people of the region | Felicity |
| Maori tribes are running all over Council’s Its its not Democratic its got to be stopped | Ian |
| Amalgamation is NOT wanted. | Bryan |
| Definitely and without argument. | Valerie |
| Absolutely,learn from the huge mistake that was made by joining the councils and creating the Auckland super city. Don’t let happen again. Disaster | Claire |
| A binding referendum is required. | Margaret |
| We need to have a say. | Jane |
| Councils are supposed to provide services to ratepayers not govern them. | John |
| I find the way things are going disturbing. Time to evaluate and reconsider local government. | Michael |
| The rate payers pay the bills not the Councils they should be calling the shots. The councils have no skin in the game just look at the “OAMARU COUNCIL”. Who would be stupid enough to join forces with them. They would not have the ability to catch a bus. If they did it would be gold plated and taking them to Disney Land. So what happens when no other councils want to partner up with all that debt loading. Simple just sell the rate payers house that can not afford to pay their rates now as “ONE COUNILOR” has proposed?????? O dear Noddy and Big Ears running wild. | greg |
| It seems like this is being rushed thru. | Mike |
| Definitely the public. | Ann |
| This is all very depressing! Just so many reasons NOT to vote for NationaL | Keith |
| Extortion is an extra cost upon all us citizens. The country needs to be in an uproar every time when any downright fraudulent claim or false charges take effect of loading damaging high costs to everybody’s everyday living expenses. Anything which is vital to the continuance of human life must not owned by any persons or groups of any kind. For example, the air we breathe and the potable water that keeps people hydrated. Instead of increasing taxes and property rates why not ensure that all such businesses and ratable properties are issued with payment demands like the rest of us? Just what would be the extra income if all the current free loaders were to pay their due. | garry |
| agreed | Maxwell |
| It would help. | DICK |
| Thats not going to happen! The level of CORRUPTION, has to be fixed FIRST, so that the co-ordination, between central, and local GOVERNMENT, works legally and properly, between both sectors, at the moment this is aSHAMBLES!! | David |
| We should have a campaign like One Nation party in Australia called ‘Fire the Liar’ with Luxon’s name on the end of it because that is what he is. | Monica |
| Moved from Christchurch to Auckland. The Councils are “chalk and cheese”. In Auckland its a 200m queues at the dump, when you get in its like Hampton Court Maze with a trailer! If you want to understand the City Plan you will need to pay $400(?) to arrange an appointment at the Auck Council and after that you will need more than likely need to pay a professional planning consultant. In Christchurch the dump queue is non existent, straightforward and quick to off load. The Planning Dept can be phoned and you can normally talk to a planner then or have them call you back the same day. We love Auckland but it has nothing to do with the Auck Council. This “Super City” is no argument for amalgamation. | Andy |
| I am sick of having to ask Maori for permission to proceed with almost anything. Successive weak/woke governments have allowed Maori to have an undemocratic and disproportionate say on almost everything. It has to stop. | Alastair |
| Communities need more time to process this | Yanna |
| What is the rush? Are we bound by WEF globalist indigenous peoples agenda? SIMPLE, STOP THIS NON-SENSE & EVIL. | John |
| Rushed decisions are seldom the best decisions. | Laurie |
| Sure!! We have to watch that devious lot very closely . The slightest let up and lack of scrutiny and they continue with their relentless wrecking. | Michael |
| Of course it should be extended, we should have the final say. | Stephen |
| But what ever govt is in power will go ahead with this undemocratic shift so the hori will control the whole of NEW ZEALAND, cant imagine any other council will be keen to join up with MDC since they have borrowed millions to GIVE to Marlborough harbour board which to me is suspect,not only that but many years ago Wanneroo and Jondalupe in West Australia joined forces and called themself a super city, then with all the corruption etc the govt stepped in and broke it up, and it will happen here, the bastards in the bee hive have no idea they are f*****g this country but then again they don’t care as they only think off them selves | Richard |
| The public must be consulted, and all of these dodgy co-governance deals overturned. | Dave |
| For God’s sake, and ours, open your eyes. This racist, tribal grab must be stopped completely. | Ray |
| Yes, this needs to be extended. What continually amazes us is how much iwi have been allowed to infiltrate local authorities and government depts | Judy |
| Democracy is under attack from many quarters. Let the people have a say on amalgamation | Graeme |
| In unsure of the program but riigious rebate followed immediately by vote will would win the day | Bruce |
| Definately – in our case Taupo – there is no natural partner and all options look very undesirable. | Gerry |
| Absolutely | Ian |
| Auckland City is a prime example of how it does not work. | Boud |
| Time scale is too short. Councils do not have the needed information and big is almost always not better. | Tony |
| Absolutely but will it ? Can only say we are disappointed the coalition hasn’t tackled the iwi problem head on from the start which now seems to be firmly entrenched in local and central government. | Lawrie |
| Another disgusting aspect of the fools in power. | Ian |
| Yes more time is required as the public pay the bills not the shiny arses in the offices and councils do not. LOOK AT OAMARU COUNCIL, no compassion for the rate payers who pay the wages. One councillor made a comment that if the rate payers can not pay the rates “NO PROBLEM WE WILL SELL THEIR HOUSE” Hello what planet is that cretin on???????????????????????????? Time for rate payers to stand up. Council should provide essential services and anything over and above should be treated as a nice to have if any spare cash. | Jeff |
| yes | Wiremu |
| Living in an area it feels we are rushed and hoodwinked. Amalgamation first time around was a big mistake. We can’t go back but what is being done is just as bad if not worse. At times we are made to feel like that we do not care for our environment, water, land , flora and fauna. only one group has that and want control. I am a New Zealander. If all the rubbish that is going on was stopped and should have stopped long ago New Zealand would be a wealthy country. I am not going to leave New Zealand but watching what is going on is very sad and depressing. We are all New Zealanders, man, woman & children. | Jackie |
| Recalibrate | Jeremy |
| don’t rush the process and get the wrong solution! | Paul |
| Enough crap . we have had a gutsfull of maori bullying . Well done Davina Smolders supported by ACT letting kiwis know this maori mafia cannot continue ,regardless of sausage rolls . Lets jope Luxon steps up in election year to stop this rort of non democratic voting ,sadly i have no confidence as obviously he sscared of the maori mafia . Act continue to fight the good fight for ALL kiwis . lets ensure ACT receive a greater share of the election vote . Winston has run his course and continues with Shane Jones to blow bubbles ,no serious stuff ,just lack of substance as per usual . | Ray |
| The people’s voice matters and must be heard | John |
| Yes of course! BEWARE THE ENEMY WITHIN!. God Defend New Zealand.. | Bruce |
| This feels so much like a control agenda for the Communist style that LGNZ want | Peter |
| Bigger is not better. | Mark |
| This coalition is a great disappointment. Co-governance is on at breakneck speed and democracy falling behind. How can we stop it? Would David Seymour be our saviour? | Claire |
| Not enough thoughts given to it. One is reminded of the so called reforms of 1989 which effectively emssuclated elected members ans enabled a miraculous structure in management. | Derek |
| Everyone has had a chance to have there say already just get on with it | Peter |
| People need to have a say . | Terry |
| If companies can amalgamate and restructure within a few months then Councils should be able to achieve the same deadlines. Cost efficiencies if not achieved will reflect the competence of Council Executives and CEO;s. Unfortunately its been recorded overseas that the average Council worker is less resilient and less intelligent then their private sector counterparts and this is a key issue for Councils to address. The second challenge is Mayors and Councillors putting to much effort into minority projects at the expense of core business. FNDC being a classic example of both issues. | Nick |
| Ratepayers, rather than the public should have the final say. Key issue is that Iwi do not get to control via the non democratic – co governance – or via so called and unelected cultural advisors unwillingly funded by ratepayers. | Peter |
| The public should always have the final say as the public pay for the use of the Council and Government amenities. | Ray |
| Councils are deliberately trying to rush this through. | Brent |
| There are no statistics to show that council amalgamation will benefit ratepayers and residents. Councils need to be giving the middle finger to Bishop and Watts. | Rod |
| LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK | Rob |
| Auckland should be “broken up” with the restoration of local councils limited in area “contriolled” but also in personal size the taxes that they can collect. The current system based on land value as determined by the “Council” presents a glaring conflict in interest. A tax on persons per household would be more equitable. It is people / persons who “use services” not properties. A single pensioner household can have over 15% of its household income taken by council. (30000 inc. 5000 rates) . In areas of East Auckland this proportion is a lot more. “WE” are not equal ! | charles |
| Yes, provided the said councils use the extra time to actively seek the public’s view. | Peter |
| We are the rate payers. This is about the will of the people. The government are planning to remove our identity and deny us the voice to say how our rates are used. The govt, through LGNZ can see that they are loosing “control” of local politics because we are making sure they are aware that we will have a say and control our own resources. Time to break and decentralise from govt and LGNZ and go on our own. Would save a shit load of cash for sure. And what about all the recent rate hikes? All caused by govt regulation changes, mostly not what we want. Same old story, progressively impoverish the masses. Now I notice another scheme in the wind to give “loans” to ratepayers that can’t pay their extortional rates ” to tide them over”, to what???? You can see this will lead to seizure of land and properties by these communist pricks. Little by little!!! | neil |
| to many issues that that we need to get our heads around | Robert |
| Absolutely. | Chris |
| No taxation without representation. We, the people, need definitely need to be consulted on the issue of amalgamation, otherwise, we simply become more distant from the nameless and faceless bureaucrats who run our lives without considering the consequences | Trevor |
| It’s only right. | Peter |
| There actually should be a referendum held, this decision is way too important to leave to council representatives too make without total ratepayer involvement | Alec |
| Far too rushed & I don%u2019t want our local council yo take on the debt of our neighbours | Kay |
| vote Luxon out | Ian |
| Amalgamation is not In the interests for small councils | Jan |
| defiantly | chris |
| Nothing done without full investigation turns out to be better. | Heather |
| RATEPAYERS NEED MORE DETAIL EXAMPLE THEY BECOME DICTATORIEL LIKE AUCKLAND | LEO |
| Most certainly. But, will the result be actioned? | Dave |
| The amagamation process may interfere with basic democratic concepts and this must not be rushed | Gerhard |
| ESSENTIAL IN A DEMOCRACY! | SYLVIA |
| The Public are rate payers and tax payers and they should have the final say. Councils are too woke these days and have departed from their core values. Democracy means of the people and not apartheid. NZ Needs To Be ONE NATION united and connected through equality. | Eileen |
| Govt must learn to read the room or face the consequences | Graeme |
| Educate the People NOW about how bad things really are within Councils etc and give people time to realise the deep hole they are being lead DOWN. | Brian |
| Absolutely, the time frame is too short for Councils to make crucial decisions with input from their community. This is a major decision to be made. | Vivienne |
| absolutely – 3 months for this decision is crazy, but that is the plan, rush it through – same old S**t | Jill |
| Absolutely –it would be democracy in action — a belief that appears to be in danger unless the public have their say. | Alan |
| little confidence in craven mp’s to back em off and out | murray |
| its only democratic to do so | Colin |
| We have had very little time to get our heads around this. In our area there is no other council anyone wishes to amalgamate with! We don’t want the Govt stepping in, either! | Donna |
| The extremely short time frame also with a threat of take over if not complied with makes the whole transition look extremely suspicious. Councils NEED time to make many decisions as whether to join up or not and with whom. Sounds like a government take over to me. | Helen |
| The government is elected to represent the public, but too often changes are made before the public get any say in the matter. | Mary |
| Yes, absolutely essential. Here in Wellington we’ve been railroaded with the race-based Tiaki Wai conjob with no opportunity for scrutiny or a public say. The Coalition is failing to deliver on its promises. | Trevor |
| absolutelyGood laws are like good wine,with a slow and peacefull gestation and left to mellow for a while | galem |
| Democracy must reign | Doug |
| ABSOLUTELY!!! | Murray |
| Definately | Patrick |
| Big is not better. This was the case in 1990 when we were told for councils amalgamate it would make rates cheaper. This did not happen and it put to much power in the hands of the beuracrats running the councils. Lets have more time to think this out. | Robert |
| This will never end if the timings get extended. There are as many opinions as people I would guess. JDI! | Graham |
| We’re disappointed with this Coalition, they’ve not followed their election promises to restore democracy in New Zealand (not Aotearoa!) | Ro |
| Absolutely | Bruce |
| There should be NO amalgamation of councils. We ALL know what will happen; more of everything we don’t need or want and less of what we DO need and want. And all financed by us. The doors of our cages are closed and about to be locked tight. BEWARE! | Sherrin |
| Definitely | Mike |
| Democratic | Thomas |
| Up to a point…..as the public needs every opportunity to submit. INTIMIDATION of any kind is a disgrace | Gill |
| And supply the public with the specifics of the Greater Auckland experiment gone wrong. starting with the huge growth in numbers employed. by council and CCO’s | john |
| Requiring councils to develop reorganisation plans within a three-month window, while they are already managing significant reforms in water services and planning is an absolute joke. Ratepayer involvement from the beginning has virtually been non existent, this is a major shift in how Council’s operate and consultation has been dismal. | Graeme |
| In a true democracy provision must be made for the general public to have genuine input in decision-making | Peter |
| NZ is slowly being destroyed by apathy. Who really cares? We are all being dumbed down and programmed not to care. | Alan |
| Needs to be thought out properly not rushed through | Heather |
| Consultation period is inadicuit. | ian |
| No. It could otherwise be frustrated by the election. | martin |
| National are useless. | Evans |
| Yes – more time is needed. | Murray |
| smaller councils give much better results to rate payers | Brian |
| Those advisers deprived of voting rights will still apply pressure to elected councillors who are sympathetic to their aims. | Graham |
| Yes, it should be extended. Unfortunately, here in Taupo, we have all been pushed into making a rush decision. So, those that were going to vote, have pretty much already voted. It’s just a pity that your information and your Poll hadn’t been last week. | Heather |
| The current time frame is ridiculously short for such a major decision. No way can all options be explored accurately enough to make a good call. | steve |
| Too many important decisions are being made quickly without the public having enough time to make an educated suggestion or decision. | Marga |
| Anything that encourages a reasoned debate within a reasonable time span is goof | Michael |
| This must not be a ‘Rush Job’, ratepayers have a right to be brought into the debate, as it is they, the ratepayers that provided them the opportunity to act on their behalf. | J J |
| Bigger is not always better. No savings in ratepayers’ costs are ever offered! | Peter |
| Absolutely, much more time needed as this is a huge decision. | Michael |
| Surely the citizens and ratepayers should be given opportunity to air their views before amalgamation decisions are made? The process should not be rushed through before the election. | Laurence |
| The slowly but surely Tribal take over of this country is truly frightening. I sometimes go on The Stop Co Governance website by Julian Batchelor and am truly appalled at what is taking place in our country, many Kiwis need to wake up. | Paul |
| The smaller councils and more importantly their existing rate payers will become the poor cousins and end up heavily subsidising/paying for the historically poorly run larger councils. | Gary |
| I think they need a bomb under them but there are better ways to do it. | Michelle |
| We need to reach more people and some things need more time for the word to spread. We can not afford another ‘super’ council like Auckland. | C |
| I am shocked that so little has been done to remedy this shocking power-grab by Maori over the years. National needs to get its house in order before the next election or face a bitter backlash. | Janet |
| There was a time when people speaking of France always commented on the excess of their bureaucracy. Having lived in that country for several years it is my opinion that while it may be true that it has a bureaucratic overburden, the people have learned to live with it, generally ignore it and get on with their with little hindrance from officialdom. And, interestingly, almost every little tinpot village has its own council with mayor and councillors who are easy to access and are there to help.It was a shock to return to NZ and experience the bureaucracy here. | Alan |
| Yes ~ and a ten year transition period to allow amalgamated councils to find their feet and settle in must allow each council within an amalgamation zone to have the same number of votes on the new council rather than proportional based on the number of voters, this allow allow the members of new amalgamated councils to ensure smaller parties aren%u2019t overwhelmed by the larger parties | Ihaia |
| IT THINGS GET A SAY | Cindy |
| There seems to be some councils who don’t seem to be engaging with other councils to begin negotiations on amalgamation so that is leaving ratepayers in the dark . The public deserves the right to have their say | Chris |
| It’s an absurdity and likely being rushed to avoid objective analysis and to get it in before the election. This is a nonsense as the left coalition of chaos will overthrow it anyway if it suits the tribal grifters and thieves. | John |
| One person one vote | Allen |
| We on the North Shore have born the brunt of hurried moves by Councils. Our water rates last month were $4.78. But the Waste Water cost was $37.80 a real rip off | Margaret |
| As the saying goes “small is beautiful” | Murray |
| one nation one people, maintain democracy | Mat |
| helpful | Thomas |
| WE are communicating with local communities to explain the benefits of amalgamating 10 District Councils, one urban authosity and the Regional Council into one unitary structure for the Waikato. Must happen and further delays only increase the cost to ratepayers. | Chris |
| Ther should be no amalgamation. | Graeme |
| Central Government should not have the power that enforcers the public and ratepayers when setting major policy that we are seeing from Bishop and co. The public need to become more aggressive in voicing their concerns. I do not trust Lucson and National as they have not put an end to Maori control. | Ken |
| Auckland’s Stupor City is a stink hole of profligate waste caused by incompetence lack of accountability, it should be a lesson to the entire country on what not to do. | Rob |
| Rush anything and we make or miss very valuabe Mistakes. Golden Rule !! | Geoff |
| Public should not be blindsided by vague and ‘quietly underhanded maneuver’s of local and government bodies. | Kathryn |
| Democracy is the only way to give voice to all New Zealanders | Chris |
| Way too rushed, they are busy sorting the WCCO processes and handover. – in our case joining Hurunui with Kaikoura Our council is also doing Annual Plan. | Paula |
| The disaster of the amalgamation that was forced upon us in Rodney to join the Auckland city says it all. Our rates have gone ballistic, and we have no way of excusing ourselves from what is forced upon us. We have to pay for the fiasco of the city rail link, and it’s massive overrun in expenditure, and we never will use it. All of this is thanks to Rodney Hide, thd plonker. Mayor Brown is utterly useless to us in Rodney, and could he give us any help, not a snowballs chance in hell. Our local representative is but one voice and his voice counts for nothing. The rest of the country should just look at what has happened to the folk of Rodney, and ask themselves, do they want the same outcome that we ended up with. All the cost, and no way out if it. | Peter |
| Taupo District Council has put out a questionnaire asking for ratepayers opinions. The form has several questions to gauge opinion but there is only one part of one question that relates to outside organizations including Maori being consulted. It is up to the individual to emphasize voting restrictions. | john |
| Overdue | Trevor |
| Way too rushed for such a major change…it appears the super city changes in Auckland have not made it very ‘super’ at all. We don’t need this multiplied across the country. | Brian |
| Simon Watts laughs off opposition to “Net Zero” & will support People Power only pre-election. | Coral |
| Yes, Give people the opportunity to express their views. Whose idea was it to force these amalgamations? | Peter |
| I don’t trust my local Council’s (Hastings Distrit & HB Regional) to make the best decisions for ratepayers in this matter. | pdm |
| 2 1/2 years in office and suddenly all this rush – why now, and what is this really about? Looks to me like the government would like to quickly ‘paper over’ the iwi takeover of local government as they have been found badly wanting in this area. Whatever change is achieved in such way, it will only be to make it much worse. | Tony |
| Important that Democracy is paramount and everyone has a vote and no free rides based on race | Peter |
| What a tratiorous coalition we have.. | John |
| Three words, don’t do it ! Look at what has happened in Auckland, rates have increased well over 100% since amalgamation took place.Auckland is too big to manage by one council and one mayor. My thoughts are Auckland should be divided into three councils. Without the blood sucking ARC castle this time. | Owen |
| The Grubberment don’t listen to what the voters like clowncils . Just look at what they did with fluoride.. overwhelmingly evidence that’s is a harmful neurotoxin and they ignore it . Just like the new drug test police have been told to use with overwhelming evidence it’s a cancer causing carcinogen and now they have incentivised doctors to push the toxic convid jab !!!!!!! | Greg |
| Chris Bishop does some good work but only gets 3/10 from me for his arrogance and alienation of the people he says he represents. But in saying that it could be applied to all National MPs | mike |
| Needs more thought, they have panicked because they have not acted earlier | Lindsay |
| Absolutely YES! | Valerie |
| So much is unresolved- what happens if two councils amalgamate where one council has Maori wards and the other doesn’t? I see locally that council staff are already pushing their own preferences and to hell with the public. | Roger |
| This must be the right decision for all and democracy | Aileen |
| It gives councils especially smaller towns Etc more time and due investigation to see where they will fit into this absurd scheme the current Government have put forward | Wayne |
| Absolutely!!! | Chris |
| why rush such an important decision | Anthony |
| just get on with it. | derek |
| “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” about sums up the all fired bull of the gate rush to amalgamate councils. Nothing great was ever acheived when things were done in a sudden rush. Important points can be overlooked with nasty ramifaications down the line. They tried this in Brisbane a decade or so back and costs escalated dramatically for ratepayers as a consequence. | John |
| Most definitely more time must be given for all to make an informed decision on how a larger conglomerate body of council would benefit the rate payers from a smaller area. As it’s been proven Auckland’s one size does not fit all. Plus all the necessary information is required of their 10 year plans. And what the possible adjoining councils have already agreed behind closed doors to co opt onto their council tables. Democracy must be front and centre of every council no matter how big or small. Also All councils should be aware of the Treaty Of Waitangi, Not only why it was necessary, but the written context. Also It was made between the Crown, (Government) and Maori, not Councils and iwi. It stipulates Maori ceded sovereignty to the Crown. No where in the written words does it state partnership or co governance. It also states One Nation. Therefore, the democratic system, must be front and centre in all councils meetings, and no councils should bow to pressure. From outside or with in. | Gwenda |
| To much haste will lead to problems that will have to be resolved. It is up to individual Councils to get their finances in order just spreading the costs to other regions is not a solution. | John |
| Democracy by its very definition needs to be for and by all citizens. | Mark |
| lets get it sorted | noel |
| Amalgamation of Auckland councils did not deliver the promised cost savings but instead a bloated bureaucracy | Ernest |
| In Wellington the voice of the smaller councils – eg Upper Hutt which voted against maori wards – is walked over by the large councils – eg Wellington which is supportive of maori control | Ann |
| Rates payers need to vote on amalgamation. Why would anyone want to own private land in this country? -You dont actually own it as maori grifters tell you what you can and can not do with it. And of course a large fee applies. All Iwi, maori tribes must be removed from all councils. Get voted in or leave the building. Current govt must act now. If labour, greens and te pati maori get in councils will be taken over by maori under the allusion of co governance. ITS TOTAL TAKEOVER. | Kevan |
| People Power | john |
| Definitely. I have never seen amalgamation reduce costs and improves services with all past council amalgamations. | Neil |
| There is a need to change the way our local bodies are governed. The present electoral system delivers idiots who have never managed a business!! | DAVID |
| Definitely. The Coalition Govt needs to address this as soon as possible. | Robyn |
| the people who are going to be impacted should have the final say | john |
| Upper Hutt and our mayor do not want amalgamation. Just look at Aucklands mess. No lower rates and more staff than ever. WHY WOULD YOU? ZERO BENEFIT. | Alan |
| Definitely, the community needs to be informed | Gavin |
| Government and elected community leaders have lost sight of their main purpose – to serve the people who elected them. Leadership has become a rort for who can gain the most economic wealth and exercise the most power. There is no accountability and no consequence for poor behaviour or decision making. The public needs time to deliberate and consider how to reverse the current trend of leaders pillaging the taxpayer coffers and elevating themselves to positions beyond reproach. | Martin |
| Definitely YES. This is far too important to have a decision of this magnitude decided in 2 only months. Pull your heads in Chris Bishop and Simon Watts. | Keith |
| Of course. National is now just a component of the left leaning Uniparty. | Rod |
| Sadly the buggars are win ing | Owen |
| No good rushing and getting Iwi privileges that we don’t want and will be really hard to get rid of. | Andrew |
| Iwi should not be forced onto the rest of the majority population | Dennis |
| THEY HAD BETTER START LISTENING. Its about time ths goverments started listenig to the rate payers and stopped panderring to the Maorai faction of the elected councillers and Ratepayers. | Carl |
| not sure that bigger is better | DOUGLAS |
| Keep LOCAL government LOCAL – indeed I would prefer several exiting large councils be split up. | Laurie |
| The stoneage status games that unelected iwi are playing must be stopped… ASAP. Do you copy that Commander in Chief ? | Chris |
| Neither the public nor regional councils can make submissions on local representation. | john |
| There has already been plenty of time. | Warren |
| KCDC is [apart from nearly overwhelming Maori influence [2 Maori elected Councillors, reducing District-wide by 1 .. a good nman lost out]]. have been good re the three waters for decades. The area at present unites 6 separate little/moderately large dommunties of interest [Paekakariki to Levin]. We do not want to combine with others whch have taken different paths re water, and are more sensibly joined with others to the the north and south. I do not understnd why Chris Bishop is so forceful on this amalgamation scheme, with threats of Government imposition. | Rochelle |
| Unelected brown supremacist part-Maori out! | Peter |
| A MUST | mike |
| 100%. Auckland is a prime example of amalgamation being rushed and we are all suffering because of it | Gareth |
| The people pay and decision makers do not listen. | Raymond |
| The axe should have cut long before now | Phil |
| unless the goverment or concils can gurantee less rates and more services as well as the same representation, no way. | tony |
| The proposed timeframe is far too short given the implications of the proposal. | Les |
| Yes, public need a final say on everything that is being pushed through without any mandate from those of us who pay for it. Time our government actually listened to us! | Lee |
| If you act in haste, you will repent in leisure. It is very hard to undo a wrong so better get it right before you action. Bigger is not always better. | Bev |
| No consultation no democracy. | Grant |
| Democratic voices need the opportunity to be heard | Steve |
| Better yet cancel the whole idiot idea | chris |
| Auckland super city has been a huge , very expensive disaster.The North Shore is nothing but a cash cow and misses out on most of the funding for services we used to have. Dont do it. It is not a positive . If we could have our own council back we would be very happy. Why is Chris Bishop and Simon Watts pushing thisvwhen they have so much they promised and have not implemented. Note all the latest so called policies they say wont be done till next term need to be done before the election or I do not velieve they are likely to happen.Do what you were elected to do and leave the rest till next term after consulting the public, National. Your promises are worth nothing! | Gail |
| It’s definitely time for the public to have a say. This Bill that Simon Watts has concocted is full of holes and weaknesses and will allow Councils to appoint voting rights to anyone that will help them stay in power. Simon Watts is the most useless MP. | Elizabeth |
| Lets fix this properly | john |
| I have no faith in the councils ability to do the job properly. there’s an old saying Turkeys don’t vote for an early Christmas | Les |
| Nothing should be done until after the election | Patricia |
| We need to start preparing for civil war. | Paul |
| The time frame should only be extended if the govt, intends leaving loop holes for co governance and voters need extra time to stop this other wise extra time means extra cost. | Alan |
| The job of protecting PEOPLES DEMOCRACY, is the job of CENTRAL GOVERNMENT: the PRIME MINISTER! so LUX-FLAKE has been SLACKING, in his position, does not like his job..not one bit! all the unfulfilled promises, they have not honoured? are voters going to vote for NATIONAL, in November……NO! not if they keep sitting on their hands , just as LIEBOUR did, under ARDERN, and the TRAINWRECK, she left….! COME ON NATIONAL, DO WHAT YOU WERE VOTED TO DO!! | David |
| Of course,. Ratepayers should have their say. | Mary |
| Amalgamation should not be rushed. It needs careful consideration. In some areas where councils are hundreds of kms apart, unitary authorities make far more sense. But the most important thing is that the community needs to be involved in the process. | David |
| The capture of councils by iwi is a huge threat to democracy. The Coalition must do what it takes to eliminate it. | Mike |
| Regional councils are a bureaucratic nightmare, but I’m not convinced bigger councils are better. As Fiona says, just look at Auckland! | Paula |
| All iwi involvement in local government must be stopped. They should have the same rights as everyone else. | Hugh |
| The Government has not put enough thought into this. Instead they are trying to ram amalgamation through before the election, but that’s when BIG mistakes can happen. Slow down! | Fred |