proposed amalgamation of Hawke's Bay councils

Statement from Napier Mayor Bill Dalton regarding the release of the final proposal for reorganizing Hawke’s Bay local government:

This is disappointing, but not surprising. The LGC has always been on a pre-determined path. They have not listened to the communities of Hawke’s Bay in reaching this decision.

The majority of the people in the Hawke’s Bay region do not support this amalgamation proposal. All today’s announcement does is create further division.

The next step is an electoral petition leading to the inevitable poll – which is a long and expensive way to get the same answer from the people who have already voiced their lack of support. This futile process will cost the ratepayers of Napier alone $80,000 - $100,000. The cost across Hawke’s Bay is huge.

Eventually, when the proposal is rejected, which it will be, I know those who genuinely care for this region will all gather around the table to work out the best way forward. Of course, one of the most frustrating things is, Hawke’s Bay is now working well as a region - despite the efforts of a small, divisive group trying to say otherwise.

It’s been a long couple of years. I was hoping today that we might be able to put this flawed proposal to bed. However, we will continue on and hopefully the Commission will learn that New Zealand is not destined to become run by a small handful of councils. Councils that have too much power and no grip on what the people in their patches really need. Councils that can’t possibly get their heads around all the issues due to the geographical size of the area they control.

We need to keep the local in ‘local councils’.

It’s now time to get on and find meaningful ways to work together as a region where it counts – something I am genuinely committed to doing. Unfortunately, as I have said, today’s announcement will only mean further delays in some people coming to the table.

Yes, there is a need for regional groups in certain areas such as tourism, but local councils are about serving the people who live in their midst in the best way they can. As I have said, amalgamating Hawke’s Bay will not work because we are so geographically diverse. There’s a movement around the world which encourages people to support their local producers and not always shop at the big chain stores. Those local producers are creating things for those around them; for the people they know best. Councils are similar. The proposal before us is trying to turn our stunning and varied region into one big, characterless chain store – the prices might be slightly cheaper but the quality and service just isn’t there.

The Local Government Commission tries to tell us their proposal will save money and reduce ‘red tape’ but there is very real evidence to the contrary.

Amalgamation will destroy our communities ability to focus on their strengths and will hold Hawke’s Bay back for decades.

ENDS

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