Views divided over councils

Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth Photo / File

The commission considering the future of Northland's four councils has heard sharply divided opinions over the best way to organise local government as it begins a series of consultation meetings.

The Local Government Commission is hearing from Northlanders this week as it considers whether to merge the region's four councils into one or two unitary authorities or stick with the status quo.

The process was triggered by the Far North District Council's application to ditch the regional council and become a unitary authority.

The commission's first public meeting, chaired by Sir Basil Morrison and held at Kerikeri's Turner Centre on Monday, drew more than 30 people, including candidates in the upcoming local elections, past and present MPs, community group representatives, retirees and business owners.

Views were sharply divided between those who wanted to keep two-tier local government with its overlapping district and regional councils, and those who wanted the regional council abolished in favour of one or two unitary authorities governing Northland.

Kerikeri resident Rob Sintes worried that the Far North's voice would be lost if Northland's three districts were combined under one council.

"With 5900 people in Kerikeri and 80,500 in greater Whangarei, the demographics will always favour Whangarei. We will be overwhelmed. Where's the democracy in that?"

He supported separate unitary authorities for the Far North and Whangarei or retaining the status quo, but was convinced the government would ensure the Commission opted for a single, Northland-wide council.

Others, however, said two unitary authorities would be the worst possible outcome. Green MP David Clendon said a Far North authority would struggle to survive financially and be too small to be heard nationally. He also preferred the continued separation of regional and district councils because of the environmental safeguards that offered.

Other meetings were held at Mangawhai on Monday and in Maungaturoto and Dargaville on Tuesday. Today's meetings will take place at Paihia's Memorial Hall (9-11am); Russell Town Hall (1-3pm) and the council chambers in Kaikohe (5-7pm). On Thursday the Commission heads to Rawene Town Hall (9-11am); Te Ahu in Kaitaia (1-3pm) and Whangarei's Toll Stadium (6-8pm). The last meeting is in Whangarei Library on Friday (10.15am-noon).