Southern Taranaki councils spurn big brothers’ moves on reform

South Taranaki and Stratford councils have spurned a suggested plan to work on local government reform, saying it’d hand too much power to the regional council and New Plymouth.

Both district councils on Tuesday voted to keep working across the region to reshape local democracy, as required by the Government.

But they unanimously rejected a Heads of Agreement setting out rules for how Taranaki’s four councils would collaborate on the revamp.

The sticking point was how much say Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) would have in the talks.

The Heads of Agreement would give TRC chair Craig Williamson a casting vote in case of a deadlock.

Councillors also worried that TRC chief executive Steve Ruru would wield too much power on a proposed steering committee.

Ruru recently also became interim chief executive of New Plymouth District Council, outside of the usual process – but keeps his regional council job.

Regional councils are set to be abolished after 2028 and Stratford District Councillor Grant Boyde said only district councils should have a say in deciding the future.

“This Heads of Agreement has all the power and decision-making tied to TRC and New Plymouth District Council,” said Boyde.

Stratford councillor Grant Boyde had "serious trust issues" with New Plymouth and Taranaki councils muscling in on local reforms.

He said as well as Williamson’s casting vote, Ruru would get two votes on a proposed steering committee, due to his double roles at TRC and New Plymouth District Council (NPDC).

“Taranaki ratepayers voted and elected … the mayors and councillors to represent them, not the CEO's or appointed chairs – that that would be the tail wagging the dog.”

“I have a serious trust issue with New Plymouth District Council and TRC.”

Stratford’s mayor Neil Volzke said he shared reservations about the concentration of power and said the Government was partly to blame with a hasty process.

“We are being rushed and the compromise here is public engagement which will be severely compromised,” Volzke said.

“I don’t believe there’s been any iwi input into this particular document.”

Two hours later South Taranaki District Councillor Mark Bellringer also said he had “real problems” dealing with NPDC.

South Taranaki District Council (STDC) should explore reform with Stratford and “go easy” on talking with their northern neighbour, he said.

“The New Plymouth District Council shares a [chief executive] with the regional council, and I think that’s a huge conflict of interest.”

South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon agreed it was a conflict and said the Heads of Agreement had been a problem from the start, with only “minor tweaks” since.

“We’ve had little input into this agreement – mainly it was originally designed for the coming together of NPDC and TRC.”

Mayor Phil Nixon (left) told councillors South Taranaki had little input into the agreement for Taranaki reform talks.

Both councils agreed they should still try to join in the Government’s Head Start pathway, rather than leaving it up to Wellington to decide Taranaki’s fate.

Earlier in the afternoon all but one TRC councillors voted in favour of the disputed Heads of Agreement, also saying the region should determine its own future.

Despite criticism, Craig Williamson said the regional council had to be in on talks for the future.

Although regional councils including TRC are facing the axe, Chair Craig Williamson said ministers and the Department of Internal Affairs had supported a strong regional approach.

“It's our job and we owe it to staff, and we owe it to this organisation, and we owe it to the legacy of the regional council and the work it’s done, to make sure that we set everything up for whatever the future holds.”

Meanwhile, New Plymouth District Council couldn’t come to a decision on the Heads of Agreement despite a lengthy debate, delaying its decision until it next meets on Thursday.

nā Craig Ashworth craig@tekorimako.co.nz

LDR is local democracy journalism hosted by Te Korimako o Taranaki and funded by Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa and Irirangi te Motu