Local government reform: Taupō Mayor John Funnell says more time needed

Taupō District Mayor John Funnell. Photo / Supplied

When Taupō Mayor John Funnell got the top job last year, he had no idea he would at some point be given three months to convince Wellington how and if his council should still exist.

But that’s what happened. RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts issued an edict this week giving councils an ultimatum: “Lead your own reform, or we will do it for you.”

“From today, councils have three months to work with others in their region and put forward proposals for how they want to reorganise their local government arrangements,” Watts said on Tuesday.

Bishop said change was needed because our local government system was, “too complex, too costly, and too hard to navigate”.

But Funnell said he needed more time to work with his surrounding councils to decide where the axe should fall.

“I’m mindful that decisions made in haste might not always arrive at the best outcome,” Funnell said.

“Any consideration of a change this large needs to be carefully worked through and properly informed.”

“Three months is an extremely tight timeframe.”

Every council is different

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) advocates for member councils and their president, Rehette Stoltz, says councils need flexibility to deal with their complex issues.

“Some regions will be ready to submit proposals to the Government by 9 August,” Stoltz said.

“Other regions have greater complexity that needs to be worked through. That needs to be respected.”

Regional councils cut first

While the call for councils to propose their fate is new, local government reform is not. In November last year, Watts and Bishop announced regional councils would be abolished, with city and district mayors would be assigned to take up the slack.

“The Government does not think local government is serving New Zealanders well,” Bishop said.

While LGNZ could not stop the abolition, they’re it is happy the Government decided the regional councillors would serve out the rest of their terms. The abolition comes into effect in October 2028.

‘Concerned about the loss of local voice’

Funnell said he had yet to reach a position on whether Taupō District Council seek to amalgamate or stay alone. His immediate concern for the effects of the reforms.

“I’m concerned about the loss of local voice and decision-making these reforms could bring,” Funnell said.

Funnell said he intended to raise his concerns with central government as soon as possible.

Bronson Perich is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist for Taupō and South Waikato based at the Waikato Herald.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.