Council considers charging for information requests
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury council is considering charging for official information requests as it struggles to keep up with demand.
In a report to recent council committee meeting, Waimakariri District Council governance team leader Thea Kunkel said the council had responded to nearly 300 requests for information in the last 12 months.
The requests were received under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
Councillors were due to workshop a draft charging policy this month, before adopting it at the next month’s council meeting.
Chief executive Jeff Millward said the requests were adding to staff workload.
‘‘We are making sure we respond to them promptly, but it is causing quite a bit of work.’’
The legislation allowed for councils to charge for costs associated with processing a request, but until now the council has not charged for an official information request.
But three recent requests were ‘‘considered substantial’’, so staff had advised there would be a charge if the work was undertaken, the report said.
The council received 71 requests between March and May, compared to 61 for the same period last year and 32 in 2022.
Staff had spent 194 hours responding to requests over the last three months and it was estimated to have cost the council $8588.
Charging guidelines provided by the Ministry of Justice suggested staff time be charged at $76 per hour, with no charge for the first hour.
The requests were for information on a range of topics, including drainage, proposed solar farms and other consent applications, property purchases, security at council facilities, threats to councillors and staff, and annual plan processes.
One recent request wanted information regarding Kintyre Ln in Ohoka from 2007 onwards.
Staff estimated it would take more than 40 hours to collate the information.
Last year, several information requests were in response to the inclusion of statements relating to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the council’s 2023/24 annual plan.
Known as Agenda 2030, it was adopted by the United Nations’ 193 member nations, including New Zealand, in 2015.
It comprised 17 goals, including eliminating poverty, a focus on health and wellbeing and action on climate change.
The council has come under increased scrutiny since Covid, which has led to a heightened awareness of the right to access official information, the report said.
It has also led to the council beefing up its internet security due to a growing number of threatening emails, including death threats, and security staff were increased during last month’s long-term plan hearings.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Noon toons on East FM, Saturday from midday
Fresh original Kiwi music releases by Jack Moser, Emma Dilemma, and Turkey the Bird (band) feature on another mixed bag She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, tomorrow midday to 4pm (NZ time, September 28) on East FM.
We’re talking to Jack Moser at 2.30pm live from Sydney about his journey in music and new EP, Where You Are.
The good folk at Blackout Music NZ say: “Tāmaki Makaurau-based indie songwriter Jack Moser bares his soul in the EP Where You Are, a collection of heartfelt compositions that channel his personal experiences into powerful musical expressions.”
It was recorded in Moser’s home-town of Taranaki, co-produced by Jack, Waru Hetet and Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace, Johnson’s Ôakura studio.
Jack says: “I’m so happy to release this collection of songs. Where You Are has been a really therapeutic EP for me to write.
“It’s helped me understand my own emotions during this relationship, and allowed me to keep moving forward. I’m now in a secure, committed relationship and Where You Are was the final hurdle before attaining exactly what I wanted in a relationship.”
We recently saw the dynamic and powerful singer Emma Dilemma upfront for the welcome-returned Tadpole on the Devilskin national 10th anniversary tour.
Blackout Music NZ says Libra is “a total power pop single from Emma Dilemma. She’s living in Los Angeles for the time being, and has a great video shot in Palm Springs. She’ll be back in NZ to support the release soon.
“It’s best you don’t try to put Emma Dilemma in a box. The self-described ‘patron saint of self-sabotage’ combines her penchant for viewing life through an absurdist lens with her love for melody and storytelling to create serious music that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
And we’ll always say it, the music of Turkey the Bird, who’ve just released their brand new album – Men, Fish, Boat – on Friday, always makes one feel great. They have a fantastic hopeful view of the world.
For some time we’ve been meaning to play their three most recent Turkey the Bird singles, Smashing Through The Fences, My Life, and Stone Wall Creek, and we’ll do that, and spin the new album in entirety in the coming weeks.
Smashing Through The Fences: “An anthem of empowerment and growth, with uplifting lyrics about breaking barriers, embracing dreams, and finding strength in community.”
My Life: “This folk trio delivers a poignant reflection on living life to the fullest. With lyrics that delve into the ebb and flow of happiness, the mysteries of the future, and the beauty of everyday moments, it’s a heartfelt anthem about making the most of every day.”
Stone Wall Creek: “Is a bluegrass song that captures the serene beauty and tranquil atmosphere of Ngawi, a remote spot in the southernmost part of New Zealand's North Island. Inspired by the picturesque rivers and creeks that Sol, a band member, encountered during his stay, the song reflects the natural charm and peacefulness of the area. Ngawi, known for having the most bulldozers per capita in the world, adds a unique twist to the song's backdrop, blending nature's splendor with human ingenuity.”
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