LGNZ and the Whangarei District Council - the price of membership

The Whangarei District Council has never disclosed the membership fee it pays to Local Government NZ 

The union speaks for councils but in recent years has failed to represent the majority view of councils, Three Waters being an example. The fall-out is that several councils have withdrawn their membership (including Auckland, Christchurch, Kaipara). They say LGNZ is no longer a representative body and the annual membership fee does not represent value for money at a time when costs should be cut to minimise rate increases.

At a council meeting on the 23rd of May 2024, the WDC decided to remain a member. We have been told some councillors considered the amount of money involved was not significant enough to warrant review.

Cr Ken Couper - voting record

 

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Ken Couper(Bream Bay Ward)

How they voted - 17.2% rate increase - WDC

 

Council votes to increase general rates by 17.2% for the year ended 30 June 2025. 

The motion: 

"That council approves increasing general rates by 17.2% for 2024-25. 

Approves increasing the targeted rates for 2024-25: 

        a. wastewater rates by 2.9%; 

        b. water rates by 5.4%; 

        c. flood protection rates by 4.9%."  

(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

How they voted - $565,000 to host a NZ Warriors game - WDC

Council votes to spend $565,000 to host a NZ Warriors game! 

The motion: "That Council approves operating expenses funding of $350,000 in year 1 and $215,000 in year 2 of the Long Term Plan to provide an opportunity for Council to exclusively host an NRL game featuring the NZ Warriors in 2025 at the Northland Events Centre." (Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

Cr Phoenix Ruka - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Phoenix Ruka (Maori Ward)

Cr Carol Peters - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Carol Peters (Urban Ward)

Cr Scott McKenzie - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Scott McKenzie (Hikurangi-Coastal Ward)

Cr Patrick Holmes - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Patrick Holmes (Whangarei Heads Ward)

Cr Deborah Harding - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Deborah Harding (Maori Ward)

Cr Phil Halse - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Phil Halse (Bream Bay Ward)

Cr Nicholas Connop - Voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Nicholas Connop (Urban Ward)

Cr Gavin Benney - Voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Gavin Benney (Hikurangi-Coastal Ward)

Cr Paul Yovich - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Paul Yovich

AGAINST the motion: "That Council approves $480,000 operating expenses funding in year 2 and $480,000 operating expenses in year 3 of the Long Term Plan to the Whangarei Art Trust, which is additional funding to the existing operating grant. 
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024) 
NOTE: The Whangarei Art Trust manages the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Whangarei Art Museum 

AGAINST the motion: 

"That council approves increasing general rates by 17.2% for 2024-25."  
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

Cr Smon Reid - Voting record

 HOW THEY VOTED

Cr Simon Reid 

AGAINST the motion: "That Council approves $480,000 operating expenses funding in year 2 and $480,000 operating expenses in year 3 of the Long Term Plan to the Whangarei Art Trust, which is additional funding to the existing operating grant." 
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024) 
The Whangarei Art Trust manages the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Whangarei Art Museum 

AGAINST the motion: "That council approves increasing general rates by 17.2% for 2024-25."  
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

FOR: Council spending $565,000 to host a NZ Warriors game. The motion: "That Council approves operating expenses funding of $350,000 in year 1 and $215,000 in year 2 of the Long Term Plan to provide an opportunity for Council to exclusively host an NRL game featuring the NZ Warriors in 2025 at the Northland Events Centre." 
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

Cr Marie Olsen - voting record

HOW THEY VOTED

 Cr Marie Olsen 

AGAINST the motion: "That Council approves $480,000 operating expenses funding in year 2 and $480,000 operating expenses in year 3 of the Long Term Plan to the Whangarei Art Trust, which is additional funding to the existing operating grant." 
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024) 
The Whangarei Art Trust manages the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Whangarei Art Museum 

AGAINST the motion: "That council approves increasing general rates by 17.2% for 2024-25."  
(Extraordinary Whangarei District Council Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, 29 May, 2024)

Mayor Vince Cocurullo - voting record

 

Mayor Vince Cocurullo

How they voted

GARRICK TREMAIN CARTOON - ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE

Archaeology lecture in 100 years time…

Then in the years 2017 to 2022, New Zealand was struck by cyclone Jacinda which swept away nearly everything worthwhile
 that previous generations had built up…

 

COVID INQUIRY

 

The coalition government has confirmed the current Royal Commission of Inquiry will run its course. In effect, it will fizzle out and be replaced with a new panel and broader terms of reference which will include:

·         The use of vaccines during the pandemic including the mandates, vaccine safety and approval and the monitoring of adverse reactions.

·         The social and economic impacts of the lockdowns, and

·         The government’s decision-making and management of the pandemic.

Further details about phase 2 are expected next month.  The announcement has been welcomed by various groups advocating for a comprehensive and independent review.

FLUORIDATION - UPDATE

At the 27 June meeting the WDC confirmed that fluoridation of the Whau Valley, Ruddells, Ruakaka and Ahuroa water treatment plants would be added to these water supplies from the last week in February 2025. This is despite vocal opposition from the public and despite an earlier referendum on the issue rejecting fluoridation.

WDC SHUTS DOOR ON PUBLIC HAVING A SAY ON MAORI WARDS

The Whangarei District Council has again ignored the 15,000 people who signed the petition calling for the public to have a say on Māori Wards. In a submission to the Justice Committee considering legislation that would restore the right of the public to have a say, the WDC said it opposed the amendment. They said:

·         It would damage their relationship with local hapu.

·         Is inconsistent with the Principles of the Treaty, and the council's “obligations to maintain, improve and facilitate opportunities for Maori to contribute to local authority decision-making”.

Councillors Olsen and Yovich asked for their vote against the submission to be noted.

LGNZ INCREASE BRINGS SWIFT REACTION, FROM OTHERS

The Christchurch City Council has resigned from Local Government NZ (LGNZ), saying it needed to save money to minimise rate increases.

That is not the position the WDC has taken. Councillors have voted to remain a member, despite a substantial increase in the annual membership fee. We have been told most councillors thought the cost “was not enough to worry about”.  Perhaps a householder can now say they don’t have to pay their rates because it is not enough for the council to worry about!

17.2% RATE RISE CONFIRMED

The WDC has confirmed the 17.2% rate increase, despite widespread opposition. Those who voted in favour of the increase were Mayor Vince Cocurullo and councillors Gavin Benney, Nicholas Connop, Ken Couper, Deborah Harding, Patrick Holmes, Scott McKenzie, and Carol Peters.

Those against the increase were Phil Halse, Marie Olsen, Simon Reid, Phoenix Ruka, and Paul Yovich.

Despite pleas from the public to cut costs instead of increasing rates, councillors added new spending items! That included an additional $960,000 over two years for the Whangarei Art Museum which manages the Hundertwasser. 

This is despite assurances when the project was first proposed that no additional ratepayer funding would be required.  Councillors appear to have taken the easy way out of the Hundertwasser’s financial problems, and that is to put their hands deeper into ratepayer pockets.