Government and democracy: spot the difference
In my experience, there has probably never been a more critical time for our communities and local government than the next few years. It’s a bold statement, I know, and within it I include the widespread reforms and amalgamations of the 1980s.
The noise generated by our seemingly insatiable appetite for the latest piece of ‘‘drama’’ being played out in councils does a great job of masking the often far less sexy debates and discussions that are more likely to have some longterm consequences.
From one end of the country to the other, we read about so-called dysfunctional local authorities, followed closely by calls that they need to be sorted out.
Now, don’t get me wrong – bad behaviour is not acceptable and shouldn’t ever be tolerated.
But let’s not forget: The people who sit around the council table are the ones you chose to represent your views and make decisions on your behalf.
Democracy is, by its very nature, messy – always has been and always will be. That said, it is light years ahead of the alternative, which doesn’t bear thinking about.
New Zealand can proudly boast one of the most prolonged unbroken periods of democratic tradition in the world, and long may it last.
The real challenge for us, as a nation, is how do we grapple with and tame some of the significant challenges of our time.
Almost daily, we see these challenges manifest themselves in the deplorable statistics for such things as social disconnection, inequality, homelessness, domestic violence and the rise of gang culture, to mention but a few.
While the debate going on at present about how we as a nation control, deliver and pay for clean safe drinking water and acceptable waste disposal may seem unconnected, I believe it has the potential to influence the long-term structure and function of democracy both locally and nationally.
The dual roles of delivering and owning water supplies and local road networks has long been a staple function of councils across the country.
The likelihood of the water part of the equation shifting into a different ownership and delivery model is high.
The debate about whether the Government’s proposal is the right or wrong model is a whole separate discussion and ongoing.
Nevertheless, I think it’s a safe bet that in the not-too-distant future, water asset ownership and water delivery will be quite different from what we have today.
This raises the question of the future role and purpose of local government, or more importantly,
It’s a safe bet that in the not-too-distant future, water asset ownership and water delivery will be quite different from what we have today . . . We will be having the debate, ready or not.
local democracy. Some might suggest the difference between local government and local democracy is simply semantics. However, I beg to differ.
Government to me is all about structure and control. Democracy is about people, place and vision – or, dare I suggest, leadership.
Remove one of the foundations of local government, such as water, from its portfolio and the purpose and function of the sector are up for debate.
To be clear, I am not suggesting the removal of water management is either right or wrong.
My question is: Are local communities and central government up for the debate about where the removal would leave local government?
My view is it’s coming, ready or not, and it will really test each and every one of us.
Central government will have to share some of its power and control, something I am not really sure is wired into the sector’s DNA.
Perhaps the politicians will get it, but government departments will be a different matter altogether. Loss of control isn’t something that comes naturally to them.
As for local communities, I hope we would be up for such a debate. It is going to mean some serious, farreaching discussions, though.
Will the 24-hour news cycle, where personality trumps policy (no pun intended), allow us the space for the big discussions needed? I guess some will, and some won’t.
I am ever the optimist. One thing’s for sure – when change in water asset ownership and delivery occurs across the nation, we will be having the debate, ready or not.