Brown Unitary council critics are a minority

Far North Mayor Wayne Brown Far North Mayor Wayne Brown has no doubt that the critics of his council's proposal for the establishment of a Far North Unitary Authority are a minority, and a small one at that, a view that he said was vindicated by the letters of support the proposal, now before the Local Government Commission, had attracted.

Those letters of support had come from Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine, Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto, Ngati Kuta, Te Tai Tokerau Iwi Leaders' Forum, the chairmen of the Far North District Council's community boards, the Whangarei District Council (Mayor Morris Cutforth, deputy Mayor Phil Halse and Cr Warwick Syers), the Kaipara District Council (Mayor Neil Tiller), former Kaipara district councillor and Farmers of New Zealand officer Bill Guest, the Northland Regional Council (Crs Ian Walker and Joe Carr, former director and chairman of the Northland Port Corporation Mike Daniel), the business associations in Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Paihia and Opua, the Northland Rugby Union, Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, Independent Maori Statutory Board chairman David Taipari, ratepayer/resident groups at Awanui, Tokerau Beach, Whatuwhiwhi, Opononi and Omapere, business leaders throughout Northland and individual residents.

(Some of those letters express support for an examination of the potential for the reform of local government, as opposed to the specific proposal, while some support the creation of Maori seats on the new authority. Editor).

The Whangarei District Council has subsequently resolved to consult its residents regarding reform before making any decisions, but last month Mayor Morris Cutforth acknowledged that the Far North Better Local Government Working Group had completed an initial engagement process in the Far North. His council supported the lodging of the proposal with the LGC, "as we are eager to see the review of governance in Northland progress."

Whangarei's deputy Mayor Phil Halse welcomed an investigation of governance structure options and the launching of a "real debate" and consultation. He saw the proposal as a clear message that the Far North wished to be the master of its own destiny, with the ability to achieve that.

Mr Halse, who currently chairs the Northland Rugby Union, saw a "total disconnect" between Whangarei and the game's clubs and sub-unions, a scenario that he said many in the Far North believed could be replicated in local politics.

Whangarei district councillor Warwick Syers said two unitary authorities in Northland with a "joint venture" around regional services was his preference, Northland's length making it too "distant" to manage effectively and efficiently under the existing structure.

Meanwhile Mr Brown has also defended the efforts made to communicate with the people of the Far North prior to lodging the proposal with the LGC. The strategic approach taken had included:

Sixteen public meetings across the district in August and September last year. Key community groups, including ratepayer and business associations, community development groups, tourism organisations and special interest/service groups, had been invited to host meetings.

Public notice of those meetings and invitations to the public to attend them.

A 34-page public discussion document outlining the proposal that was circulated at the meetings, and was made available at FNDC service centres and on-line.

Presentations and formal agenda discussions at council meetings and combined community board meetings.

A presentation and discussion at the Iwi Leaders' Forum and with various iwi/hapu networks.

A presentation to the Whangarei District Council.

Regular joint press releases from working group co-chairmen Mr Brown and Rangitane Marsden.

Full-page advertisements in three local newspapers detailing the proposal, and another with the answers to questions raised at community meetings.

Regular updating of the council's website and circulation to groups via email.

"The public landscape has changed much since amalgamation, when Kaikohe was our largest town and local body capital," Mr Brown wrote in a letter to the LGC.

"Kaitaia soon outgrew Kaikohe and then Kerikeri outgrew them both, so now it is time for the next step in the Far North's journey to determine its own future.

"Our application is insistent on showing the Far North has the size, capacity and unique and unified communities to create a better future if we are not governed from Whangarei. The proposed Far North unitary structure will reduce bureaucracy, costs and frustration from local government arrangements and help our council focus on delivering effective and affordable local solutions to our communities.

"Ratepayers and communities want better results, and I believe a Far North unitary authority is the best vehicle to do that."