Read more from Federated Farmers here.
As reported in a Newshub piece, interest in local elections is weak with falling voter turnouts.
2016's turnout was only 42 per cent, barely half of the 2017 general election's turnout of 80 per cent.
Far too often, there is little or no choice in council elections.
Often the candidates with the most media mentions or sitting councillor's are returned no matter how effective they have been in their roles of public "advocates" and "watchdogs".
The other thing is the council sector's operating expenditure exceeds $10 billion per annum, it employs around 32,000 people, and its assets are worth around $113 billion, partially offset by around $15 billion in debt.
Local government is big and it is getting bigger but working alongside this growth is the subtle creep in of a move away from consultation on annual plans.
Annual plans are like an annual budget and set out councils' spending and rating plans.
As such they are important.
Since 2014 councils haven't been required to consult on annual plans unless they plan on something significantly different from their three-yearly long-term plan.
This might not seem a big deal but since then councils' consultation practices have varied dramatically and in our experience this can impact on rates bills.
What this move away from meaningful dialogue shows is you end up with a form of government able to pass tax increases without meaningful conversations with those that pay the bills.
This year – the time of council elections and annual plan consultations, you should all take part, or at the very least take notice.
This is your democracy. It only works if you take part.
