Are you prepared to stand to make a stand?

 

We have come to the view that the only way to change the mind of our local councillors is to change the local councillors!

Democracy Northland will be supporting candidates at next year’s local body elections. We are looking for people with integrity and respect for the democratic process. We want to have a council that represents the community, not one that imposes its view on the community.

The Greens have made no secret of the fact that they want to gain even greater influence on local councils than they already have and will be targeting local body elections.  

The feedback we have received is that people have had enough, and are saying “no” to radical ideology.  

Let’s give the public a common-sense alternative. If you may be interested in standing for your local district or regional council, please contact us at info@democracynorthland.co.nz.  

The WDC is pressing ahead with the fluoridation of the local water supply, despite public opposition. The Council recently wrote to the Ministry of Health asking to extend the time frame to complete the plant upgrade that is currently underway.

In December last year, the Council commissioned a polling company to gauge public opinion. They asked: 

“Thinking about the Ministry of Health directive, which of the following describes your level of agreement or disagreement about fluoride being added to the Whangarei and Bream Bay water supplies? Would you say that you strongly disagree, disagree, are neutral,  agree, or strongly agree?”

406 residents were surveyed by phone, two-thirds to a mobile number and one-third to a landline. The margin of error was +/-4.9%.

Minister clarifies changes to Maori wards

 

A letter dated 23 April from the Minister of Local Government to our local councils spelled out their options regarding Māori wards. The Northland Regional Council (NRC), Whangarei District Council (WDC), and Kaipara District Council (KDC) all introduced Māori wards without first calling for public input and they ignored petitions signed by some +15,000 people calling on the councils to hold a referendum. 

The Minister has told councils they can address that wrong in one of two ways. 

Taxpayers pay huge legal bill for iwi/hapu claims to Whangarei harbour

The second stage of the Māori claim for ownership of the Whangarei Coast is expected to cost taxpayers many millions of dollars in legal costs, and this is just one of 203 claims before the High Court. The hearing is scheduled to start on the 22nd of July. (The first stage for the Whangarei Harbour only, is currently being heard by the High Court in Whangarei.)

Under the Takutai Moana Financial Assistance Scheme introduced by the John Key National Government, iwi and hapu making claims for customary marine title of the foreshore and seabed may have their legal costs reimbursed by taxpayers. 

Quotable Quote

 

“Show me the incentives and I’ll show you the outcome.” - Charlie Munger 

17.2% RATES INCREASE!

The Whangarei District Council (WDC) wants to increase your rates by an astonishing 17.2%. And it is not going to end there. It is proposing another 10% increase next year, and another 10% the year after.

That means within the next three years the average ratepayer will be paying about $1,000 more than they are today. For those renting, that means a $20 increase in rent a week. 

The Mayor says the Council “cannot cost save our way out of this”. 

GARRICK TREMAIN CARTOON - Otago University

Grant Robertson retires from Parliament; is appointed vice-chancellor of Otago University.

HUNDERTWASSER TROUBLES

 

The viability of the Hundertwasser Arts Centre (HAC) is being questioned following a significant drop in visitor numbers in the second half of last year.

 In the first four months of operation, the HAC had 37,000 visitors. That dropped to just 19,800 in the latter half of 2023. This had a direct effect on admission fees and gift shop revenue. The revenue from entry fees did not even cover the staff costs which are forecast to be $1m for the full year.

 The total operating loss in the six months to 31 December 2023 was $765,000.  That shortfall has been partly covered by drawing down $500,000 from a $2 million contingency fund created to support the trust during its first 10 years. $500,000 was drawn down previously and $750,000 “dissolved” after a guarantee provided by the Ngātiwai Trust was forfeited by the Whangarei District Council in a behind-closed-door meeting in August 2023. Only $250,000 of that $2 million fund remains after just two years.

BALLOONING COUNCIL DEBT

The Whangarei District Council’s interest-bearing debt is now $340 million ($236m owed to external lenders and $104m taken from council reserves earmarked for projects that are yet to commence).

Five years ago the total debt was $224 million. That’s a 52% increase over five years. Half of that increase in debt can be attributed to the construction of the Council's new office building, Te Iwitahi.

TE IWITAHI OR WHITE ELEPHANT?

 

The final cost of the new council building (“Te Iwitahi”) in Rust Avenue is $61 million. Of this, $7.6m was paid to consultants.

When the building was first proposed in June 2018 the projected cost was $37 million. A year later that had increased to $38 million.

By February 2020 the estimate had grown to $48 million and the size had increased from 5500 square metres to 7000 square metres to accommodate up to 470 staff, including space to be leased to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on commercial terms.