Three Waters reform ... keep open mind

Re: Three Waters (Councillors say water reform too fast, News, March 20): this is the biggest change in local services delivery in Aotearoa’s history with an aggressive timeline.

My experience in building the ‘Supercity’ entities says it is achievable IF Central Government remains determined enough.

We have yet to see enabling legislation to set up entities and their governance, assigning local councils into them and defining how we can (in practice if we can?) “opt out”.

Until we see concrete and specific proposals, not loosely defined big picture ideas, it’s wise to keep an open mind – but (as Mayor Hamish in the article says) it is “not acceptable to

... see Whanganui taxpayers funding larger cities that need expensive upgrades ...”.

The article said “the three waters would be handed over to a regional entity and funded centrally rather than by local government”.

This is misleading, Three Waters will not be paid for from central taxation. It is clearly the intention for the new entities to bill people directly for water to fund both provision of existing services and higher levels of borrowing to fix inadequate services (by and large not Whanganui).

In short some Three Waters costs will come out of council rates and those and new costs will be billed directly (probable some tenants may end up paying water costs currently paid by landlords in rates).

The most unambiguous and hopeful message I took from the Palmerston North meeting was the strong

Ma¯ ori voices saying to the reforms not only that this is too fast, but very clearly that they did not want to be briefed and consulted separately instead demanding to be in the room looking at Three Waters in partnership with local councils.

That is a step change from the past and one I find deeply encouraging for

the future of local government. [Abridged]

COUNCILLOR JAMES BARRON

Castlecliff

Housing shortage

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Go Jacinda - at least you can see who is causing part of the problem. Covid has done part of the job reducing the number of nonNew Zealanders flocking to our shores to be exploited and create a housing shortage.

I note that we are not the only place in the world short of houses as California is short 2 million.