We don’t need Auckland style council
I have read several letters in newspapers from the South Island. There are several I think are relevant to us at the other end of New Zealand.
I apologise for the plagiarism of another’s writing but here goes. In one of the main papers in the south on October 6 comments from Nanaia Mahuta are reported to have said: “the reason many councils are not on board with passing over control and assets regarding the proposed Three Waters legislation is because they are Pa¯ keha¯ dominated”.
The writer goes on and asks, what would happen if he said certain political parties are dominated by a group of activists. Would that be a racist comment or hate speech? He then questions the rights of people which seem to be diminishing day by day.
For me, there are several issues moving along at present, Three Waters and council number consolidation. Anyone who thinks central government, run from Wellington, is more efficient than local councils when it comes to the Three Waters must have come down in the last shower.
Whanga¯ rei has a water system, new, the envy of many, paid for by “us” and should not be sold down the river by our the district council if that is still on the table. Our water charges are not too high and that is where they should stay.
Council numbers in New Zealand are ridicules, I think 78 in total. I have preached for one council system for
all of Northland over many years. We have a chance to put “our” design in place before a plan from Wellington is foisted upon us which I believe will be a disaster.
We don’t need another Auckland type council pushed down our throat.
Democracy is too important to let these projects just run over us and for us to suffer the outcomes.
John Bain Whanga¯rei
Landing not sensible
The Oruku Landing development is just not sustainable or sensible at this time, there is so much more to do within this district with borrowed public money. Forget about the Government’s money carrot and get on with immediate problems here. Grant Lambert
Whanga¯rei
Events bring jobs
Vaughan Gunson writes there is no desperate need for an events centre (Advocate, October 20). He then gives a figure of 340 for Forum North’s capacity. Oruku figures show double the capacity; 340 is laughable for a city our size. Our city continues to grow. We won’t get this chance again. That’s why events bypass us and go to Kerikeri. Having 1000 people standing capacity and 750 seated will give us a chance to get great events here music, dance, all sorts. Vaughan says it’s not essential. I disagree. This will benefit the public. So will the jobs. After the lockdown people will have lost jobs. That’s why the Government gave Whangarei the $60 million. It was a shovel ready job.
Jan Baird Whanga¯rei
Thank you to Heather
A great shout out to Heather Mackay of Kerikeri, for standing up to the unvaccinated in order to keep not only herself safe but to help prevent lockdown so children can return to school (Advocate, October 20). Fantastic selfless values and principles, Heather! Thank you for standing up to the hoha (angry) minority.
I hope that many more tutors, businesses and organisations follow suit to protect all of us.
Marie Kaire
Whanga¯rei