FNDC takes its plan to Wellington

Far North Mayor Wayne Brown led a delegation to Wellington last week to formally lodge his council's proposal for the establishment of a unitary authority with the Local Government Commission.

The council voted last month to seek unitary authority status, which it believes will reduce bureaucracy and be more cost-effective than the status quo, after endorsing a reorganisation application and business case following a series of public meetings in August and September between community groups and the Better Local Government in the Far North Working Group, comprising council and Te Tai Tokerau Iwi Leaders' Forum representatives.

Working group members Mr Brown and iwi leaders' representative Rangitane Marsden, who co-chair the group, Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi chief executive George Reilly, Te Runanga o Ngati Hine representative Pita Tipene and council chief executive David Edmunds presented the application to the commission, supported by Cr Di Maxwell and Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.

The 55-page application calls for the replacement of Northland's three district councils and the regional council with two unitary authorities, and alternatively a "cost-effective" Far North unitary authority that would not rely on a second unitary authority being formed in the region.

It was accompanied by letters of support from numerous groups, individuals and business leaders, including the three community boards, Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi, Te Runanga o Ngati Hine, Te Runanga Nui o Te Aupouri, Te Tai Tokerau Iwi Leaders' Forum (representing major iwi groupings in Te Tai Tokerau and Te Hiku o Te Ika regions), the Kaitaia Business Association, the Kerikeri and Districts Business Association, Business Paihia, Doubtless Bay Promotion Inc. the Opua Business Association, Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Inc., the Tokerau Beach/Whatuwhiwhi Residents' and Ratepayers' Association, and the Opononi/Omapere Ratepayers' and Residents' Association.

Mr Brown said he was proud to lead the first council in New Zealand to lodge an application under new reorganisation provisions aimed at providing more efficient local government.

"The proposed Far North unitary structure will reduce bureaucracy and costs and help our council focus on delivering effective and affordable local solutions to our communities," he said.

Mr Brown noted that the Northland Regional Council had now decided to consult Northlanders to determine their preferred local government model for the region.

"They're talking about spending up to $100,000 of ratepayer money on a consultation exercise, even though the Local Government Commission will invite communities to suggest alternatives to our proposal," he said.

Mr Marsden said the council's willingness to form a strategic alliance with iwi/Maori by creating Maori wards showed a boldness that other councils lacked.

"This sets Northland on the road to becoming a template example for better local governance, where iwi and council work together to fulfil the aspirations of Far North people," he said.

Mr Brown added that the commission would assess the proposal and decide whether it had community backing before publicly notifying it and inviting alternative reorganisation applications from the community.

It would then decide on its preferred option for local government in the Far North, which could include retaining the status quo.

The public would be able to make formal submissions on any reorganisation proposal from the commission.