Former Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene, who is now Northland Regional Council chair. Photo / Dean Purcell
Hundreds of staff at Northland Regional Council face Christmas under the shadow of sweeping reforms that could spell the end of their jobs, with no certainty likely until after February.
Newly-elected regional council (NRC) chairman Pita Tipene has been advocating for change in the structure of local government since 2013 - - specifically one unitary authority for Northland.
He said the abolition of regional councils was signalled throughout this year by the Prime Minister and various members of Parliament.
However, this week’s announcement was “too hard and fast”. Tipene said it failed to consider the people whose livelihoods were now at stake.
While he “embraces change” and believed the status quo for local government was “untenable”, Tipene condemned the rollout as poorly handled, leaving staff anxious and angry just weeks before Christmas.
He confirmed there would be no certainty until after a public feedback period expired next February.
The Government’s proposal is the first shake-up of local government in 36 years.
Under the plan, all 11 regional councils across New Zealand would be abolished, with their responsibilities – from environmental management and public transport to civil defence and Treaty settlement commitments – handed to new Combined Territories Boards (CTBs) made up of city and district mayors, possibly alongside appointed Government commissioners.
Northland Regional Council employs 340 people who only learned of the proposal at the same time as the public.
Tipene said the lack of clarity has created “a whole lot of uncertainty” for NRC staff who now face months of worry.
“People are frustrated, disappointed, and angry.
“When your livelihoods are at stake, you want information upon which to plan for yourself, your family, and your circumstances. At the moment, we can’t give them that, other than to say as soon as we find out, we’ll let them know.”
Tipene acknowledged the risk that talented employees could leave before any new structure is finalised.
“We’ve got an absolutely fantastic staff who are very skilled, experienced, and wise. We’re very proud of our team. But people will be looking at their options. I don’t think this has been well thought through,” he said.
Tipene stressed that any new structures must uphold key principles: protecting the environment, ensuring local voices in decision-making, and safeguarding the Treaty of Waitangi.
“Form follows function,” he said.
“Whatever structures are in place must allow key aspects like meeting the needs of Northland, taking Northland forward, and recognising that not all parts of Northland are the same.”
Tipene raised concerns about the Government’s emphasis on economic growth, saying it must not come at the expense of a “clean, vibrant environment”.
He insisted that balance and diversity of governance must be built into the new boards, so that economic imperatives do not override environmental protection or Treaty obligations.
He warned against models that would allow councils to act as both “poacher and gamekeeper”, regulating themselves without independent oversight.
“That is untenable. If the poacher is the gamekeeper, we don’t have the checks and balances in place to ensure those principles are upheld,” Tipene said.
Asked whether he would have stood for election had he known the reforms were imminent, Tipene said things “may have been a little bit different”.
“The central government wouldn’t like it if they all just got elected and then somebody said we’re going to reorganise central government.
“Nonetheless, it’s not about me, it’s about the kaupapa and what’s good for Northland and what’s good for the people. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Tipene didn’t know if there would be a place for him on the proposed mayor‑led board.
“Probably not,” but said he nonetheless felt privileged to be working through times of change and would do his best to help the process.
“I embrace what’s come through, but ... There is a way you go about transitioning through change, and this is not good.”
Tipene said the council had already been proactively working with district mayors to find efficiencies and deliver greater value for ratepayers.
That unity among Northland’s councils shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Government’s directive, he said.
“This announcement only means we’ll double our efforts now,” – efforts he said would change from being proactive to reactive.
Tipene hoped Northland could develop its own “bespoke solution” and pitch it to the Government as part of the submission process.
“We lead and we put in place what suits us, and then pitch that as part of these reforms,” he said.
Until more detail emerges, Tipene said he could not offer staff any assurances other than “we will do our best on their behalf”.
“The paperwork is not as clear as I would like it to be. The devil will be in the detail.”
Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.