Democracy one person one vote is under threat in New Zealand, and it is locally where we need to make a stand. We have been complacent and lulled into a false sense of security or simply frustrated with our representation in local and central government so have opted out. This has left a gaping hole, and contractors and developers have filled the hole with lobbing for control of all things local, water access and three water services and now, through central government compulsory, reorganisation /amalgamation of local council are seeking to take control of land for development free from community oversight, that is, what is of priority and important to us.

The current government never campaigned on their policy to ‘Simplify Local democracy” and their compulsory” Head start “process to reorganize or amalgamate NZ local councils’ authority. This is the greatest threat to democracy facing us yet elected local mayors and councils think central government” Sovereign” over the democratic right of locals to organize their local government as they see fit.

 Lobbying by contractors and developers who National and their coalition represent have confiscated our access to water in Wellington with Tiaki Wai council owned corporation. The next phase in the current government’s plan is to impose reorganization/amalgamation on local councils by legislation if they can’t manipulate it first be fearmongering and 9th August deadline, do it or we will do it to you. Giving councils, I believe three options that will be acceptable to them. Is that democracy one person one vote.

 Apparently according to MP Chris Bishop, we don’t need local democracy people don’t vote anyway. The only thing standing in the way of what’s best for NZ according to the National party, is voters, is democracy. The answer take away their voting system as Sovereign and leave it to them National and business. As it is people are struggling to cover rates and now water user charges. We need to stand up for the right to organise our local democracy as we see fit free from central government compulsion, what is coming will hit us like a tsunami if we don’t.

A “thank you” to Teresa Homan for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.

02/07/26