Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mo te Manapori is a new local government action group committed to working with central government to ensure all New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water and that all of our local communities continue to have a say on the use of assets purchased on their behalf using ratepayer funds.

The group’s campaign is inclusive – it’s about safe drinking water for all New Zealanders – whoever and wherever they are.  It is also apolitical – we’re completely focused on the issue regardless of political affiliation.

Mayors and councillors are the elected local voice of our communities – communities that are very clearly saying that they want to retain control of their assets.   We believe there’s a better way to achieve the Government’s objectives and we want to work in partnership with them on that.

Questions?

Councils had the opportunity to address safe water – how can you object to the Government intervening now?

No-one disputes the need for investment and or that the best way to achieve this is though genuine partnership between the Government,  Mana Whenua and Councils.  However, the proposed confiscation of assets funded by generations of ratepayers is not the right solution and we are calling on the Government to revisit its proposal.

What’s wrong with the Government’s commitment to continued community ownership of water infrastructure paired with safeguards to prevent privatisation?

The Government has said it will put obstacles in the path of privatisation of our water assets, but it can’t guarantee they will remain in community ownership.  Just 61 votes in Parliament could let a future Government  privatise our assets.

Community input will be a feature of the new water entities – why aren’t you happy with this?

We know best what is needed in our regions and we’re happy to work in partnership with the Government and Mana Whenua to help deliver it.  If the Government was sincere in wanting the best for our communities it would combine the best of our local and national resources – assets, knowledge, expertise and funding – in a genuine partnership.

Instead, with four entities covering the whole country, the voice of local communities – the owners of the assets and the keepers of the local knowledge – will be massively diluted. 

Community involvement will be limited to regional representative boards - representing a total loss of property rights for the ratepayer owners of the water assets.

The voice of provincial New Zealand will be drowned out.  We’ve seen this happen when bypasses – designed to enhance the quality of life in provincial towns – are dropped in favour of motorways that will get people in and out of our major cities. 

Councils and Mana Whenua are directly connected to their communities, unlike central government, which doesn’t have a strong track record of listening to provincial New Zealand.

If Government consultation with councils to date is indicative of its approach on water reforms, then regional New Zealand has much to be afraid of.

Why not engage constructively with the Government’s working group to provide advice and recommendations?

We no longer trust a process that started out saying that councils’ involvement was optional – only to be told later that we had no choice – before we’d even completed the first round of consultation. 

The Government has stymied opposition to its plans by effectively muzzling Local Government New Zealand and hand-picking representatives for the working group, rather than having wider consultation.  This is not good faith consultation.

The Government has already considered and rejected alternative options before deciding on its current water model – why do you still think there are viable alternatives?

The Government’s determination to see the water reform box ticked during this electoral cycle has led it to abandon due diligence and to grasp at an international model that we believe is inappropriate for New Zealand.   

Based on our own research, we believe there is a better solution that will meet everyone’s needs. 

How can you argue against the need for balance sheet separation – which underpins the Government’s approach?

No-one disputes the need for investment, but there’s a better way to achieve the Government’s objectives and we want to work in partnership with them on that.

Which councils are Communities 4 Local Democracy?