Bruce Bisset: Napier's chance to shoot the dog

Bruce Bisset.

After more than a decade here I've finally come to realise the majority of Hawke's Bay residents are right: Napier is so insular and disconnected from the rest of us it effectively exists on its own little planet.

That inexplicable fact is about to cost us our environmental integrity, burden our children's children with massive public debt, and conceivably lose the port to private ownership.

All because Napierites are apparently unable to connect the dots and understand that what we lose, they lose, too.

Yes, I'm talking the Ruataniwha dam and irrigation scheme; and no, I'm not being too alarmist. No matter which way you look at it - environmentally, socially, economically - it's a lame and mangey cobbled-together dog that should now be put down.

Next week I'll explain two reasons why the dog is beyond rescue: reasons even the regional council has - seemingly deliberately - overlooked. For now, just trust me on this. (Hey, it's what the existing council keeps telling you to do.)

And why is this Napier's fault? Because three of the five build-it-no-matter-what councillors are Napier representatives, and despite my and others' urging only one person has stepped forward to unequivocally oppose their decisions. So the chances of derailing this farce are slimmer than they should be.

What flabbergasts me is the level of non-engagement evident amongst even those the public look to to guide them: Napier City's own councillors. More than one has admitted to me they know little about the biggest project, bar none, in the Bay's history, and are concerned less. That defies belief. But there it is.

So it's hardly surprising that instead of a diverse selection of "both sides" candidates for Napier's regional seats, there's one well-past-use-by incumbent (Alan Dick), one import from the frack-and-forget council of Taranaki (Moira Irving), one former incumbent claiming an environmental epiphany is behind his return (Neil Kirton), and one legal gunslinger for hire - currently in HBRIC's pay (Martin Williams). Four bodies, all in effect wearing the same head. For the dam, regardless.

Oh, to be fair, Kirton says he's open-minded and doesn't like the port being used as dam collateral, but right now - at vote time - he's in the pro-dam camp. That leaves only one man from Napier brave enough and environmentally committed enough to stand openly against the dam: Paul Bailey.

So, Napier, you don't like my criticism? Prove me wrong. Use that urbane slickness you pretend to and vote strategically by voting ONLY for Paul, to make sure he takes one seat - and saves (y)our port.

As for the rest, Wairoa and CHB are unfortunately probably foregone conclusions, while Peter Beaven should be safe in Ngaruroro ward.

But there's a real threat in Hastings in cross-council-jumping Cynthia Bowers; if she takes a seat off any of the present stalwarts, Belford, Barker, or Graham, the pro-dam camp will remain in power. So the bottom line is, regardless of what you think of Bowers' work to date, if you want to change the regional council do NOT give her your vote.

Let's face it, that's what we must do: change the HBRC. They've spent over $20 million on vet bills trying to give life to their bio-engineered Frankendog while neglecting the basic upkeep of our precious resources, most notably water. For the sake of a few wealthy farmers and financiers.

The only chance we collectively have of dragging that pro-privilege culture out the HBRC headquarters door and putting the dog to rest is to elect Bailey in Napier, and not elect Bowers in Hastings. Frankly, this time around it's the only election issue that matters.

- Bruce Bisset is a freelance writer and poet.

- All opinions expressed here are his and not those of Hawke's Bay Today.