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...]
Garry Writes – the end of 2021
The poet Rumi once wrote:Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. This week the government announced that they were not going to fast track their proposed Bill on the 3 Waters legislation before Christmas. It’s a good call. This gives local … [Read more...]
More on how the Dutch approach their water infrastructure
Dutch Special Envoy on International Water Affairs Henk Ovink was interviewed by Newsroom recently. In the article he is quoted as saying: "You see around the world that building along our rivers was a great thing in the past, because of trade and fresh water, then all of a sudden we covered them … [Read more...]
One of the Tuesday Club recipients sent this letter to the Minister of Local Government about 3 Waters
The person who wrote this letter decided to reply to an unsatisfactory reply he had received from Minister Mahuta. Here is his latest letter: 3 Waters Reform I am writing to you again following your reply dated 3 December 2021. Thank you for your response. However, I do not feel that I have … [Read more...]
A reminder of why I resigned from the Institute of Directors
At one stage in my life, I was talked into joining the Institute of Directors (IOD). After one year as a member, I resigned. I have never belonged to a more boring, dull, outfit than the IOD. I realise that this move precluded my being appointed to boards, but if that is the way you get to higher … [Read more...]