Community led governance
Submissions to the representation review close next Monday the 4th of October. There is still time to have your say. It's not hard to do. Google the council's website and use the online form. The form is simple to use and you don't have to say much; a couple of sentences with your thoughts will do. You don't have to speak at the hearing. Just tick the No box. Your input won't be any the less valuable.
The council proposes to introduce a system of 9 councillors from 9 wards. That might look good on the surface, but it's not. It's far worse than the previous system. People will only be able to vote for and communicate with 1 councillor, their ward councillor, no-one else.A one-ninth share in local governance. If you don't get on with your ward councillor, well, too bad. You cannot go to anyone else. Residents will be shut up and shut out! If you don't want this tell the council on the online form.
There is a better method available, but you have to ask for it. What was called Option 2 in the feedback survey would provide 1 ward with `10 councillors and general roll electors would be able to vote for and communicate with 9 of them. Much better! This system was the run away public favourite in the feedback survey but the council ignored the people's choice and substituted another system, its own, that wasn't even offered up in the survey.
Also, in one line the council dismissed the right for residents to have community boards - OUR community boards. A place where we could have OUR say about local matters. Boards have statutory powers and the capacity to promote local well-being in a way that no other community organisation has the power to do.There are over 100 community boards in NZ but Tauranga councils have persistently refused to allow them to be established here.
Do this: complete the council's online form and insist upon Option 2 being used and demand that community boards be established. Opposition to autocratic council control starts with your submission.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
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!
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