northland chamber

ADVOCATE COLUMN 3rd WEEK MARCH 2011
The recently released “Local Government Options for Northland” report prepared by Sir Peter Trapski and Dr Don Brash makes interesting reading and offers something for everyone. It supports the Whangarei District Council in undertaking the study saying that it has been a timely exercise and one that will well place Northland for any future reviews around local government reform.

The authors both suggested that change at sometime in the future was probably both inevitable and necessary. This was hardly surprising given that the status quo has been in place for some 20 years and as with all forms of government, change over time is to be expected. They differed in their opinion as to what was the optimum form that such change should take and on a matter of process Dr Brash noted that it was very likely the authors of the McKinley Douglas report were encouraged to modify the recommendation made in their draft report that a single unitary authority was the most appropriate form to be adopted

It was also interesting to note Dr Brash’s comments in regards to the role that the former Rodney District may play in any future reform of Northland’s local government and the potential of not one or two but three unitary authorities. It was also noted that the empowerment of Northland’s many communities and the stewardship of the Kaipara Harbour would also require a great deal of work to resolve.

Both authors noted there was very little desire or interest from the wider community to change the status quo. This was in part expressed by Sir Peter in saying that local government should have regard to the views of submitters and “must try other measures before giving further consideration to restructuring”. These other measures generally related to collaboration and co-operation.

There is an obligation on all local authorities to collaborate and co-operate however Sir Peter stated “sadly we saw little evidence of that”. There has been a positive shift in the willingness of Northland’s councils to collaborate in recent times but there is still range of options of shared costs that could be explored. Comments were made by the authors of the need to distinguish between cost to individuals and cost to council. I would suggest that all Northlanders should read this report and then examine the respective council’s behaviour over the coming year and see what changes this report brings about in regards to them adopting “other measures”.