‘Bent over backwards’: Govt should accept eastern merger, councils say

The councils in a potential Waikato eastern bloc say they’ve “bent over backwards” to tick the Government’s boxes for amalgamation.

The three councils involved have all agreed to the proposal and their mayors reckon Wellington won’t need to make any changes.

The proposal would turn Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils into a single unitary authority dubbed Waihou-Piako-Coromandel Unitary Authority.

Wellington should listen, according to Matamata-Piako District Mayor Ash Tanner, who says local councils have “bent over backwards” and “pandered” to the Government over the past three months.

“We represent our communities. We don’t represent the bureaucrats in Wellington.

“I haven’t seen any proof amalgamation is better for rates, cheaper on rates or more efficient so I’m quite sceptical about that but our focus is to make it work.”

Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) Mayor Peter Revell has “no sense” of what the Beehive will do with the proposal from here.

But he thinks the idea of four to six local boards (accompanying one elected mayor and 12-15 councillors) will maintain the “real connection” to communities.

“I think that is one of the things that will actually fit really well for the Government,” he said.

His district has landed on this after facing nine potential options for amalgamation – multiple Waikato variants and possibilities in the Bay of Plenty.

Asked whether the eastern bloc proposal fits financial criteria, Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams said there was no reason for the Government to alter the proposal.

“The only reason they wouldn’t [let it through] is if they’ve got an ulterior motive they want to achieve, but we hope not. We know some of the rules aren’t quite written around this and that there’s no real legislation in place so there may be a bit of to and fro, but hopefully we land on something that we all agree on.”

The so-called Waihou-Piako-Coromandel Unitary Authority would encompass approximately 93,500 people. Estimated annual revenue and debt for the district would lie at $320.7 million and $108.5m respectively.

Previous working relationships between the three councils paved the way for this option, as cases in civil defence, waste management and roading often cross district border lines.

“When you think of Matamata-Piako, Hauraki and TCDC, it’s our playground,” Tanner said, referring to how many residents have baches across the area concerned.

“There’s that local feel about it if you like as opposed to say a single Waikato.”

The mayors have now united all of Waikato’s eastern coastline. Photo / Mark Taylor, Waikato Times

All three mayors commended how their staff shouldered the workload the three-month deadline demanded, with Adams recalling some of the hours pulled as “ridiculous”.

“The rubbish has still been picked up, the potholes are still filled ... but they worked above and beyond and some of them put in an enormous amount of hours so we thank our staff and council for the immense work.”

Tanner lamented that the entire process has been entirely ratepayer-funded and has placed a strain on councils’ ability to perform their other duties effectively.

“There’s been no assistance from the Government ... so what it’s done is things they [staff] should have been working on is now being pushed backwards.”

Local Government Minister Simon Watts (left) and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announcing the Government’s local government reform proposals. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Thames-Coromandel’s use of consultants familiar with local council workings was essential in relieving pressure on staff and council to conduct business as usual, Revell added.

“We dug in really deep ... it’s been a very much an elected member-led process from our point of view.”

Asked if he would’ve liked more time, Revell’s answer was simple – “heck yeah”.

“There’s so much that has to take place between now and September if the Government approves the proposal.”

The final deadline for councils to submit proposals is August 9, otherwise they will enter the Government’s “Back Stop” procedure.

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