Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor

Local Government politics has played second fiddle to Central Government politics in recent times. Political junkies like me have remained glued to the media – awaiting decisions outside my control.

The first was the election result that saw National gain an unbelievable victory with close to 48 per cent of the vote and yet only able to muster a one seat majority government – four seats including the Maori Party for confidence and supply. This just shows the deficiency in our current MMP voting system. Don't get me wrong, I like the ability to have some specialist ‘List' members in Parliament, but I am opposed to there being such a large number. Hopefully the review will address this issue.

Then there was the selection of Cabinet. I had high hopes for our local Simon Bridges getting a Cabinet post, but not to be. Never mind, this young man has the temperament to go on to higher office. Just watch this space, Simon is knocking on the door.

Locally, we have done well during the last three years as far as funding local projects ($495m for roading projects; $5.6m for Tauranga schools; $52m extra for our Health Board upgrades; $15m for six new courtrooms; starting the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband) and the list goes on. We continue to have high expectations of both Minister Tony Ryall and Simon and I am sure we won't be disappointed.

The other Cabinet appointments I found particularly interesting were Gerry Brownlee taking on Transport and Nick Smith adding Local Government to his portfolio. Roading initiatives in the Bay are pretty well locked in, but not all are and we need to continue to sell the attributes of the likes of the Northern Arterial if our city and region are to continue to prosper.

Will Nick Smith have the resolve to move local government structural reform forward? This really does need to happen, but it will need to be driven locally and without the vested interests of local government politicians getting in the way of a rational debate.

The selection of a new Labour Party leader will also add a new dynamic to the political landscape. Labour has been very brave in looking for a fresh face, albeit that he lacks experience. David Shearer will have his hands full, competing with an irrational and disruptive Winston Peters and Labour stalwarts must just hope he can survive the onslaught from both internal and external forces.

Christmas is nearly here and it just leaves me to wish all our readers a very merry festive season so we can start what is likely to be another eventful (and probably trying) year in good heart.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email [email protected]