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- By Aksel Bech, Waikato District Mayor
The question is tongue in cheek, but what is currently underway is the biggest shake-up of councils across the country since 1989.
The more recent formation of the supercity, some 16 years ago, affected just the Auckland area. But for most parts of the country, there are two councils: a regional council (looking after environmental management, public transport and planning) and a territorial authority (district or city council managing roads, water, rubbish, libraries, and parks).
The government’s Simplifying Local Government programme aims to reduce duplication and cost by combining two or more territorial authorities (including the Waikato District Council) together with regional council functions, into a single “unitary” council as per the Auckland example.
And they have given all councils a choice: “Tell us your preference for a new way to simplify your region by August 9 or [the] government will do it for you!”
We have very little time to talk to our neighbouring councils and with locals, but we are doing our best, as letting the Beehive draw our new lines on the map doesn’t seem likely to get the best outcome for us, as some would argue was the case when the Government of the day split Franklin in half.
And that’s where locals in the Franklin area might now well wistfully wonder if an Independent Republic of Franklin is on the cards! While Auckland cannot make a submission as part of this process, I would personally say that if I were a local with a strong view on this, now seems to be the right time, and probably a once-in-a-decade opportunity, to test that sentiment.
Is there appetite for the old Franklin to be united under one council once again, be that shifting the border north (bringing Pukekohe and Waiuku with surrounds into the Waikato) or shifting the border south to the Waikato awa (bringing the communities of Tuakau and Pokeno into Auckland)? And what about the rural areas – where do they associate with?
Time is short, but until July 10, there is an opportunity for all of our residents and ratepayers to give input. I urge you to look at our website; there’s a feedback form and more information. These conversations are about you helping shape what it looks like for our district.
WEB VERSION ONLY: https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/your-council/simplifying-local-government
