Over the past couple of years Ngai Tahu has been negotiating with the government over the form of 3 Waters legislation. Local government, the owners of the water assets, was invited late to the table. In the past couple of months Ngai Tahu has become increasingly strident toward local … [Read more...]
Last Week Anne Salmond on Three Waters
We had the largest attendance we have had to a Zoom meeting, and also many of Facebook, when Dame Anne Salmond spoke last Tuesday. The presentation demonstrated why she has been awarded the highest honour a New Zealand citizen can we awarded. Her in depth, scholarly, understanding of Te Treaty o … [Read more...]
Garry writes 22 March 2022
It’s a rare setting where a politician admits that they have got something wrong. Nanaia Mahuta did that last week, and good on her. She admitted on TV1 that she had got two things wrong during the promotion of the government’s 3 Waters restructuring. In the article Local Government Minister Nanaia … [Read more...]
Last Week – two mayors on Three Waters
Last week we had a very healthy discussion led by firstly the mayor of Kaipara, Jason Smith. Jason’s main point was that the proposed 3 Waters structure being promoted by the government failed the test of democratic accountability. To this we would say “here, here”. The second speaker was Lianne … [Read more...]
This week’s speaker at 5.30 Dame Anne Salmond on Three Waters
We are delighted to have Dame Anne speak to us with her thoughts on the government’s proposed 3 Waters restructure of water in this country. Dame Anne has written about her concerns over the proposed reforms and the article above is one of them. Anne joined us in last week's session, and agreed to … [Read more...]
Garry Writes 15 March 2022
How are those challenging the government’s proposed 3 Waters reforms being treated? It’s sad that an essential public policy discourse is becoming more and more debated as” right” and “wrong”. It’s literally the litany of the deaf. Labels like “racist” are being chanted to those who are … [Read more...]
3 Waters proposed legislation progress this week
Establishment of the 3 Waters Transition Unit: Last week this item came up on RNZ’s website while everybody was distracted with the war in Europe and the demonstrators in parliament: The three waters reform National Transition Unit board will be chaired by Waka Kotahi NZTA chair Sir Brian … [Read more...]
A columnist’s thoughts on 3 Waters “reforms”:
Stop Press: Looks like the Three Waters Legislation will be delayed until the middle of the year In the New Zealand Herald John Roughan, a columnist, under the heading There may be something dirty about the Three Waters plan wrote: Before this year is much older an unresolved argument from … [Read more...]
Three Waters Feb 2022
Cabinet Ministers attack local government: I am worried by the Government’s continuing inability to be responsive to the criticism of their proposed 3 Waters legislation. This doggedness could impact heavily on their re-election chances next election. They are only appointing people to advise … [Read more...]
3 Waters proposed legislation – It’s time for a rethink all around
For those of us with a long memory how central government approaches local government is too often an exercise in bullying. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is supposed to maintain a watching brief on local government and advise government on what changes are necessary. It seldom does this … [Read more...]
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