The comment “Knives being sharpened as the menu now has a mains on the list, being KDC” was posted to the Kaipara District Council’s official Facebook page by Cr Paul Yovich, the Chairman of the WDC Finance Committee, and given a Like by Cr Brad Flower, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee.
The
post drew a rebuke from WDC Mayor Ken Couper, who said, “Council
expects elected members and staff alike to conduct themselves in a respectful
and professional manner, including in online environments.” He said he had
“spoken with the councillor involved, [who] has removed the post and
unreservedly apologises.”
LETTERBOX
asked Kaipara Mayor, Jonathan Larsen, to comment on the post and the apology. He
said no apology had been received. He says that the WDC councillors’ expressed
sentiments are disappointing and disturbing. We have asked Cr Paul Yovich to confirm
whether he had in fact apologised, and to whom.
Council
amalgamation is very much an ongoing and live issue. Cr Paul Yovich has not
done anything to improve relations between the councils! The image has caused
controversy in the council amalgamation debate, because the WDC has proposed expanding
its territorial boundary to take over the KDC activities and its assets. Is
feasting on the assets of the KDC, not democracy, the real reason why the WDC
is so keen on taking over the KDC?
The
KDC is the best-performing council in the north, so taking over the KDC would
be a windfall for the WDC. By absorbing the KDC, the WDC would not only expand
its rating base, but it would also pick up Kaipara's share of the Northland
Regional Council's net assets worth $360 million. Kaipara's share would be around
$50 million: a very nice windfall to help the WDC address the reckless level of
debt it has accumulated.
References
Kaipara Lifestyler 18 August 2026 HERE >>>