The Tauranga Ratepayers' Alliance is calling on Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta to not cancel elections this year.
Tauranga City Council Commissioners have recommended to Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta that local government elections in the city be delayed by a year.
The four-person Commission, chaired by Anne Tolley, have also suggested a Crown Manager should then oversee Council after elections until 2025.
The recommendations come in the most recent report from Commissioners to the Minister, submitted on December 31 last year and released to the public last month.
The Commission was appointed by Minister Mahuta, coming into effect in February 2021, to address what she called 'significant governance problems” among the elected representatives for Tauranga.
The Commission's term was due to end with October's elections but the Commission's recommendation is that this should not happen. Read more here.
Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Michael O'Neill says to preserve the democratic rights of Tauranga ratepayers and residents, local body elections need to go ahead this year.
'The Minister promised to return Tauranga to full democracy in October 2022 and we think she should keep her promise.
'If the Commissioners have their way, Tauranga will be the only Council not to have an election in October.”
The alliance has launched a petition in an attempt to stop the elections being delayed by a year.
'Our right to vote was won at a great price and we're not going to let them take it away again, that's why we've started this petition and we will be presenting it to parliament.
'It's time for Tauranga residents and ratepayers to get their rights back.”
O'Neill is critical of recently reported budget blowouts under the Commission's watch including $30m more for Cameron Road and over $3m more for the Elizabeth St projects.
But Council have hit back at the claims, suggesting the increased funding is related to Covid-19 enforced issues.
O'Neill says the Commission's duty is to keep the city running until democratic elections could be held.
'They've gone far beyond their mandate and it's time for the people of Tauranga to decide what our priorities are, not Wellington.”
A link to the petition can be found here: www.restoredemocracy.nz
3 comments
yeah nah
Posted on 11-03-2022 12:15 | By thriller
At least the commission has got off their bums and actually achieved stuff and are not bickering between themselves! The last few councils have failed to look at the infrastructure in the district and that's why Cameron road is being upgraded. Everyone would be whinging like crazy if the sewage system or water pipes collapse.
@ thriller
Posted on 11-03-2022 15:45 | By Yadick
Well said. Sums it up perfectly.
A pointless petition.
Posted on 11-03-2022 16:54 | By morepork
Mahuta has demonstrated she has no understanding of, or interest in, democratic processes. She'll restore the Council only when she HAS to, probably in the face of mounting pressure on the Labour government. Some people believe the Commission is good for Tauranga (I'm sure Mahuta does); my own objection is based on principle: whether the Commission has done a good job or not is NOT the issue. We are entitled to elect our own representatives. If we get it wrong and elect a bullying Mayor, and a bunch of squabbling egotists, then it is up to US to correct that and get better candidates next time. A Crown appointment might be tolerated as a means to fill the gap, but it cannot be an ongoing gravy train of jobs for the Boys, financed by Ratepayers. Appealing won't correct it; voting might.
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