Suzanne Williams

Once again, a good read with much food for thought in last Wednesday’s Beacon, from our readers.

An in-depth breakdown on the disaster which we are likely to have with the latest local government reform thrust upon us by this government, from Phillip Jacobs; then an excellent translation of the consultation document and what we are being asked to vote upon, for those of us who are not geniuses, from Dr Mawera Karetai, who has a good grasp of the complex issues we are facing, as she should have after her years in local government.

My immediate thought when faced with the possibility of amalgamation of local authorities was:

What about Auckland?

The amalgamation of seven district and one regional councils into one huge Unitary Authority took place in 2010 and was unique in our country. It has met with mixed reactions from those affected – the main problem being, of course, that those areas with different priorities were forced to come under the same governing body; not always harmoniously or successfully.

Opinions differ on how successful these differing places have been in cooperating; but in our own case, it makes us think about how different our district councils are in nature and whether any purpose or the greater good is served with amalgamation; the main advantage being that of scale, which is apparently doubtful.

As a previous rural ratepayer and farmer in the area absorbed by Auckland’s Mega-council, I felt for the country areas absorbed in 2010. They were bound to be overshadowed by city interests.

This is in much the same way that we are now, to a smaller but increasing degree, forced to do between Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Bay of Plenty, or Whakatāne and Tauranga, travelling over an hour for attention to our more serious health matters, and so much more difficult for those who live between here and East Cape, who have so much further to travel, or go without treatment.

Bigger is not always better.