I suggest that we need to be careful what we wish for. Central government is talking up the need for local government reform and if regional governance is even practical anymore, some regional Mayors pushing amalgamation, saying that this is more cost effective, and a collective push by local councils to install water meters, the tool for generating income for a combined water entity, and locals blaming our local council for rates rises .The purpose of local government is local democracy the further away from local input the less opportunity  we have for participatory democracy. We need a strong collective voice to ensure local needs take precedent over the so called bigger is better philosophy that is a combined water entity and amalgamation. Many lament the in-house council maintenance of water delivery proven by the water done well overspend on contractors. Where will a new so called improved water entity lead. It will without doubt set its on pricing scale and charge a connection fee and have control of our collectively owned water assets. Water meters will be the tool for charging us and there will be a connection charge much like our electrical line charges. All ready for privatization over seen by central government. The RMA has guttered local councils’ ability to regulate buildings and manage local environmental concerns by taking over control of these regulations and consents. Central government seeks to increase this control by reducing or eliminating regional councils. Beware of ACT candidates running for council wanting even greater control with their Regulatory standards Bill. In all this the losers will be us the local people and local democracy we will lose all input or influence on local issues due to no council to speak or set regulations on our behalf. We can all focus on rates and think that we will somehow reduce what services cost us by economics of scale. I think this is a false dream destined to turn into a nightmare if we don’t protect our right to participate in managing those things that matter to us by strong independent local government .I believe we need to start by calling for all rate payers to be shareholders as of right in our combined water entity and to vote in coming local election for people who believe in local democracy and tell us the truth about our budget requirements to deliver public services rather than telling us they can keep rates down.   

Teresa Homan

Upper Hutt local

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

25/06/25