Napier MP says Local Government Commission position paper on Hawke’s Bay lacks common sense

The Local Government Commission’s position paper on the reorganisation of local government across Hawke’s Bay lacks common sense, completely side-steps the issue of council debt, and is based on dubious assumptions that have been proven to be incorrect, according to Napier MP Stuart Nash. 

“Just why the Local Government Commission believes a governance body of 18 councillors, a mayor and another level of bureaucracy in the form of local boards is a step forward is beyond me.  We actually end up with an astounding 56 elected officials; 8 more than under the current system.

“The Commission’s comments that it has “reserved its position” on ring-fencing Council debt pending further information should also ring alarm bells. The necessary facts are available and side-stepping this issue is just a means of keeping the people of Hawke’s Bay in the dark as to their plans.

“The recommendations are based on a number of assumptions that have been proven to be incorrect: very disappointing as these could form the basis for a proposal with far-reaching implications for the 150,000 people who call Hawke’s Bay home.  This position paper reveals the Local Government Commission haven’t listened to the people of Napier, Wairoa, Central Hawke’s Bay – and a number from Hastings – and they simply don’t understand the dynamics of the Bay, ” says Stuart Nash.

Mr Nash believes the region-wide survey planned by the Commission for early 2015 will result in public opposition to the changed position and possibly prevent any further proposal being put forward.

“Once the majority of people across Hawke’s Bay develop an understanding of these changes, I am confident they will reject them.  As the MP for Napier, I’ll certainly make sure all my constituents are fully informed of the implications of these changes.  I doubt any sensible person who professed an interest in growing the region would see this as a step in the right direction.

“The sooner we reach a resolution on this issue the better. So much government resource has been poured into this, which would have been better spent addressing the issues that matter to Hawke’s Bay people, like jobs, ”  Stuart Nash say