National campaigned on giving local communities more say – now it’s doing the opposite.
“Christopher Luxon talked a lot about empowering local communities, yet these changes strip away a key layer of local decision-making,” Labour local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere said.
“Regional Councils currently ensure communities have a say on public transport, environmental protection, natural hazard responses and waste management projects.
“Labour supports simplifying local government, but not at the cost of losing the voice of local communities. Replacing regional councils with Ministers or appointed commissioners shifts power further away from communities, not closer.
“National is also removing the option of polls or referenda to decide on local changes.
“The Government has already limited community input through the fast-track law. Taking away another avenue for local say will only reduce oversight and weaken accountability.
“This isn’t what National promised voters. Christopher Luxon is becoming more and more out of touch with what is best for New Zealand.
“Communities should be able to decide on their representation, not Christopher Luxon or Shane Jones,” Tangi Utikere said.
What is the real reason the CoC want to get rid of regional councils does it have something to do with privatisation of water, land, farmers and DOC. And what happened to the National government promise of localism. This government has bullied our council in local water done well and now getting rid of Regional councils this is not localism. And why am I paying my rates to the council they need to stand up to this government.
Its looks like based on what Andrew Little has said the government is attacking our TOW rights by trying to get rid of the regional councils and this all ties in with the RSB and the RMA changes. And it is all about getting rid of any regulatory bodies that stand in their way of their economic development plans. The COC plan is economic vandalisms of our environments they don’t care as it’s all about money. So, this government is not just breaking promises to communities about localism its breaching TOW obligations and agreements. Why bother holding referendums and voting in your local body election process when the central government is railroading over our local council democracy. And Bishop is trying to justify their changes to regional council by saying people don’t vote this is a pathetic excuse and an abuse of power.
Its looks like based on what Andrew Little has said the government is attacking our TOW rights by trying to get rid of the regional councils and this all ties in with the RSB and the RMA changes. And it is all about getting rid of any regulatory bodies that stand in their way of their economic development plans. The COC plan is economic vandalisms of our environments they don’t care as it’s all about money. So, this government is not just breaking promises to communities about localism its breaching TOW obligations and agreements. Why bother holding referendums and voting in your local body election process when the central government is railroading over our local council democracy. And Bishop is trying to justify their changes to regional council by saying people don’t vote this is a pathetic excuse and an abuse of power.