Topiki boundary change gets closer

Tokomaru and O¯ piki won’t face any opposition from Horowhenua District Council officials to begin their bid to join Palmerston North.

Council officials will take part in discussions about changes to its northern boundary, even though it could mean losing the ‘‘essence’’ of the region.

A combined committee, called Tokopiki, which represents northern Horowhenua settlements Tokomaru and O¯ piki, wants to move the southern boundary of Palmerston North to include the two towns.

The Palmerston North City Council agreed to start discussions on moving the city’s boundary to include the two areas and on Wednesday night the Horowhenua council voted in favour of participating in proposed boundary change discussions.

The potential move has been acknowledged by the Local Government Commission.

Horowhenua councillor Ross Campbell represents the northern Miranui ward and he said the council had no option but to participate.

He said there had been discontent in Shannon, Tokomaru and O¯ piki from ‘‘apparent neglect’’ and the areas perceive they ‘‘get left out’’.

‘‘They simply are being hit in the pocket by our rates.’’

Issues such as only lining Tokomaru’s footpaths with limestone were a slap in the face, he said.

‘‘These have all added to the feeling that [the council] don’t care.’’

Cr Jo Mason said Palmerston North saw opportunities in a boundary change that would help its position of growth.

She said Palmerston North was about the city, while Horowhenua was more about rural and lifestyle.

‘‘I’d like to think we’ve shown some level of commitment to those small communities.

‘‘If the Local Government Commission does decide to assess the application for a boundary change, I very much value having Tokomaru and O¯ piki as part of [Horowhenua].’’

Cr Bernie Wanden called the northern towns the ‘‘essence of Horowhenua’’.

Cr Neville Gimblett said the council had to recognise the group’s wishes to move, but there was a responsibility to make sure all information was available and the decision was made properly.

‘‘I’m aware there is some talk in various parts of the community this may not be the only boundary change coming up. Whether there’s any validity to that, time will tell.’’

He said there had been no transparency about a boundary change and queried why mayor Michael Feyen and a member of the Foxton Community Board had been involved in discussions about the Palmerston North change.

‘‘If people want to have that discussion they need full information about that. They need to know just how much their rates are going to go up if that occurs.

‘‘Because some of the estimation I’ve done shows some of the low-priced properties going up by $800 or more just for the privilege of moving to Manawatu¯ ,’’ Gimblett said.

The Local Government Commission confirmed it received an application to extend the southern Palmerston North boundary to include Tokomaru and O¯ piki and will consider whether it will agree to assess the application.