West Coast Mayor Fires Back At ACT Criticism Of Councils

Thursday, 20 March 2025, 9:41 pm
Article: Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

Grey District mayor Tania Gibson says the ACT Party's latest criticism of local government is a cheap shot at councils trying to make ends meet against near-impossible odds.

ACT announced this week that it is seeking like-minded candidates to stand for council under the party banner year, saying local government needs a clean-out.

"ACT has been focused on tackling the cost of living, wasteful spending and co-governance in central government," ACT leader David Seymour said.

"But when I travel the country I'm constantly told that councils have failed to address these concerns at a local level."

Gibson said the accusations were unfair.

"It feels like we're all being lumped in with the likes of Wellington, and its reputation," she told LDR.

West Coast councils with their small rating bases were all trying to do their best with what they had, she said.

"There are no frills anywhere in our budgets and our infrastructure deferrals are backing up on us all," the mayor said.

"It seems like it is easy to criticise councils publicly - it gets the applause, and it opens the door to the public to give councils a flogging."

Most people - herself included - did not realise how challenging the local government system was until they found themselves elected, Gibson said.

Council critics and prospective candidates should spend some time talking to sitting councillors to gain a real understanding of the system and its limits.

"The people that ACT recruits to run for councils will be like the rest of us, thinking they can make substantial change, then getting in and realising just what they're up against."

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They would also end up enduring the pressure, including online abuse.

"The awful comments, the hate that can come our way, that's been well-publicised. And it will just get harder to attract good council members with the right skills, in an environment such as this."

Local government and its present funding model were becoming unsustainable and central government should be working with councils to find solutions - not sniping at them from on high, Gibson said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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