Mayor's Warning

Opotiki Mayor John Forbes says rural communities have it "hard enough" already.

Amalgamating local governments would do more harm than good for rural communities, Opotiki Mayor John Forbes has warned.

On Monday mayors and representatives from North Island local authorities met in Taupo to discuss their concerns regarding amalgamation proposals from the Local Government Commission and the overall Super City concept.

Mr Forbes, also vice-president for Local Government NZ, said although he did not attend the talks he fully supported them.

"I think the real issue isn't 'secret talks' or a bunch of mayors talking away, it's restructuring local governments and how that would affect communities," he said.
Initial reports of the meeting described it as a secret meeting by a rebel group of mayors ready to fight against the threat of super cities.

Mr Forbes said local government did not need restructuring after a series of changes were made in 1989. They were doing a good job and, while they could always do better, restructuring them was not the answer. Doing so would take away the voice of smaller communities.

"The best way to represent a community and ensure the issues that affect that community are addressed is through local council and an appointed mayor, not through a giant council miles away," Mr Forbes said, adding rural communities had it "hard enough"and amalgamating councils would make it even harder for them. He said it would also be unfair for the taxpayers of such communities to be forced to pay for projects that did not directly affect them.

Mr Forbes said central government needed to work closer with local bodies to ensure the wellbeing of all the communities of New Zealand.
"Every mayor in this country, every council, every political party or leader, has one thing in common.

"They want the best for their communities and their country, working together to achieve that, that is the way forward," Mr Forbes said.

Four regions - The Far North, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington - are under the spotlight by the Local Government Commission which wants them to amalgamate services.

The Whakatane District Council was represented at the meeting by Deputy Mayor Judy Turner who described it as a positive sharing of ideas by mayors.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne said Mrs Turner reported to him, the meeting was not exclusive and was all about good local government ideas.

Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell said he had not been invited to the meeting in Taupo.