Back
839 days ago

The local government elections might get messy

Oliver Neighbourly Lead from One Tree Point

Last week's Local Government Conference showed a promising focus on elected membership, co-governance and climate change. I am however worried that we might see a number of single-issue candidates in the upcoming local elections, who will exploit the current controversies around major initiatives and dominate the debates. The Three Waters reforms are the obvious choice for such tactics.
Past and present councils have shown foresight and made prudent decisions to secure excellent drinking water systems in our district. There is however no guarantee that it will forever stay like this and not be run into the ground, as it has happened in so many other districts all over NZ. WDC have unfortunately taken a very adversarial approach to the reforms, rather than deciding to support these, hand over our well-maintained water assets to the professionals, accept the offered rewards for a job well done, and quit while we're well ahead.
However, the narrative that WDC can keep doing it better and cheaper has now been seriously undermined by the recent 31% price hike in water consumption rates, due to the closure of the refinery. It is completely counterintuitive that the price goes up when demand goes down, it provides zero incentives for us to conserve water and reduce our usage, and it shows that WDC's financial governance of our water services hasn't been as prudent as claimed, by allowing a single large customer to cross-subsidise household connections. It is obvious that losing Refining NZ would have been just a blip and not have had such a large negative effect (if at all) on our water rates if we had already been part of the proposed "Northwater" Entity A.
Councils do not provide other utilities, like electricity and telecommunications services. We should ask ourselves what is so different about water services that councils would have to continue to be the ones to provide these, and we should strongly reject any campaign slogans that try to sell us more opposition and promise us rollback of the reforms. This is not the time for pretending to know better and going it all alone.
Given the division and misinformation around co-governance in general as well as the introduction of Māori wards we should also be prepared for further challenges to these developing changes and inoculate ourselves against any forms of propaganda and thinly-veiled racism.
Personally I will ignore any single-issue campaigners and only consider candidates who can present a credible pathway for a just and respectful transition to a circular, sustainable low-carbon economy in our district. Unfortunately our options might be limited, since the decision to elect all WDC councillors district-wide was overturned. We are once again confined to our wards and constituencies and stuck with the archaic First Past The Post voting system. If all I get to choose from were more dairy farmers, businessmen and long-term incumbents selling us Past As Future and Back To Normal, then I might not even bother voting.

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

Image
Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64% Yes
    64% Complete
  • 33.4% No
    33.4% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1577 votes
1 day ago

Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
12 hours ago

Become an SPCA Foster Hero!

The Team from SPCA Whangarei - Centre & Op Shops

Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.

Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!

Sign up today and save a life!