The question is: will amalgamation solve these issues?
Given Auckland's debt level per ratepayer, probably not.
But there is more to the debate than that. Those advocating for change say amalgamation will ensure ratepayer dollars are spent efficiently and sensibly across the rural and urban areas of the district and that it will mean the region is better placed to promote itself nationally and internationally.
The Bay of Plenty Times Weekend last Saturday reported a group of residents, including leading Western Bay businessmen and women, planned to make an application to the Local Government Commission for the amalgamation of the Tauranga City Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
We know from Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby the region's councils have already started a "low-key research document" looking at the "form and function" of local government in the region, including staffing levels and rating base.
However, a spokesman for the group pushing for change, Carrus Corporation executive chairman Paul Adams, says the decision cannot be left up to local body politicians: "It is like turkeys being asked to vote in favour of an early Christmas."
He believes the change needs to be driven from outside the council chambers.
If there was sufficient community support and an amalgamation proposal was put before the commission in time, one mayor and one council could be elected to represent the Western Bay in 2016, he says.
Mr Adams believes having two sets of council costs and rules that are "not always in synch" is holding back the Western Bay region's prosperity and future, and having one unified council will lead to cost savings and alignment of services, rules and regulations and operational management.
So far Mr Adams is the only one to put his name to the plan to make an application to the Local Government Commission and this weakens the group's case.
The public will understandably feel a level of distrust toward a group lobbying for a major change in local government if the members of that group are unwilling to put their names to the cause. If the group is serious about change, then all its members need to come forward.
In contrast, Bay of Plenty Regional Council member Doug Owens says a forced amalgamation could cost Bay ratepayers "billions" and any local government reform should come from within the region, not be "forced through" by a central government.
He says councils are looking into a regional information technology management system that will help minimise duplication, help share resources and streamline the Resource Management Act.
"I reject up front amalgamation as it simply enables incompetent politicians and costly consultants to take immediate control of the process at the ratepayer expense. Change can come from within," he says.
Central to the question of amalgamation is whether some areas could lose their voice in local body affairs - that decision-making could become focused on the region's main centre.
This, of course, could be countered through a robust examination of the ward systems to ensure the involvement of local voices.
This issue deserves to be debated fully and publicly.
Given the level of ratepayer dissatisfaction, the region's local body politicians need to look into the cost/benefits of amalgamation. If they are seen to be slow to act then the issue could be taken out of their hands.
And, given the group plans to lodge the application within two months, it could already be too late.
