What should Horowhenua ratepayers expect under "new leadership" at Horowhenua District Council?

Veronica from Manakau

Commentary Updated

I'm sure the education sector would be concerned to read the new chief executive for Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson state, "I don't think we live in a world where... degrees matter."

It's not good form, or a very promising sign, the first public comments she makes to Stuff is to demean a sector that works to achieve educational excellence in a very challenging 21st Century environment [Horowhenua Mail, May 12, 2022 New council boss ready to lead].

At its best knowledge gained by completing tertiary education courses, or "degrees", provide critical thinking abilities especially useful in professional roles such as the one she has secured.

The alternative in-house training is a poor return on investment for the community especially taking the salary the chief executive receives into account. What is it annually, $250,000?

The Horowhenua community would certainly be the beneficiary if Ms Davidson did have a degree or, at least, formal qualifications to apply in her role rather than the in-house training received as a long-time protege of former mayor Brendan Duffy and former chief executive David Clapperton who were both her mentors. And she does despite her comment in the community newspaper. She has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington.

Her in-house training took place during the more well known infamous email blocking era instigated by Clapperton and Duffy. I'd be interested to know whether Davidson was involved in this activity during her time previously at Council. A question that would have been good for the reporter to ask. Were any questions asked? If Davidson was involved in the email blocking saga it certainly also raises concerns about the legitimacy of her appointment. Chief executives are appointed by councillors.

If Ms Davidson wants to genuinely demonstrate to the community she represents a fresh, new start (doubtful considering her local government origins) her very first decision would be to recommend a closure of the Levin Landfill.

It's a legacy that ended in her lap now it's time for her to show the community that she has the mettle, and the political maturity, to make the only recommendation that can possibly be made taking all the consultation done already into account.

Broadly speaking essential infrastructure is one of the biggest issues locally and nationally. Is Davidson prepared to demonstrate from the "get-go" that Horowhenua has a chief executive who does more than talk about leading from the front? Her recommendation to the Council on the Levin Landfill will answer that question.

Former deputy chief executive Nicki Brady left the Council three months ago - and not long into her role - to take up a position as general manager for the Wayne Bishop Group, an infrastructure company owned by councillor Wayne Bishop.

What! The former deputy chief executive of Horowhenua Council, who was appointed by Clapperton, is now employed as a general manager in an infrastructure company owned by a a councillor who exercises significant economic and political clout of his own around the council table?

If there was ever a need for restraint of trade conditions surely this is a clear example. The public need to be assured the Wayne Bishop Group does not gain commercial advantage from the intellectual property and confidential ratepayer information former deputy chief executive Brady had access to.

Veronica Harrod is a qualified freelance journalist who lives and works in Horowhenua. And, yes, qualifications matter.
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