Councillors all over the country have expressed their concerns that reducing the amount of local councils could reduce local voices.<\/p>\n
Fellow M\u0101ori ward councillor Murch put it simply, \u201cNobody understands representation like the under-represented.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she was speaking of M\u0101ori under-representation, there are concerns her statement could apply to all of Taup\u014d district in the future.<\/p>\n
Taup\u014d councillor: \u2018I won\u2019t miss it so much\u2019<\/p>\n
Taup\u014d District councillor Duncan Campbell Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Duncan Campbell is in his second term as a Taup\u014d ward councillor. The Auckland native was a senior traffic engineer for Waitakere City Council when it merged into the Auckland Super City in 2010.<\/p>\n
Having taken part in the largest local government amalgamation in New Zealand history, Campbell sees great potential in a bigger Taup\u014d council, but warns: \u201cBigger is not always better; the devil will be in the detail and based on the Auckland example, some wheels will inevitably fall off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like Foreman, Duncan sees Wellington\u2019s call for change as curtain call for his council.<\/p>\n
\u201cI foresee in a year or two\u2019s time there will be no more Taup\u014d District Council, and I won\u2019t miss it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Murch and Foreman say function over form is their priority. Both of them want effective representation for their constituents in whatever council replaces their own.<\/p>\n
Keeping local government local<\/p>\n
Councils have three months to work together and present Wellington with their proposals on how local government will look and operate in the future. <\/p>\n
Central government has already stated its preference; it wants local government to go large.<\/p>\n
Local Government Minister Simon Watts explained: \u201cProposals should focus on creating larger, more efficient unitary authorities that streamline functions, reduce duplication and improve decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n
Campbell remembers being in the thick of it during the Auckland supercity merger.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Auckland Super City: big promises and big expectations, but a quite a few disappointments all round,\u201d Campbell said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe purported efficiency gains of reduced staff numbers were only temporary. Local community influence was lessened, and the bureaucrats in Auckland Council and Auckland Transport gained the upper hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Staying connected with constituents<\/p>\n
Taup\u014d Te Papam\u0101rearea ward councillor Ngahuia Foreman. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Murch said contributing to Taup\u014d\u2019s proposal to Wellington would be her top priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese next three months are going to be critical,\u201d Murch said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what we really need to do, and I\u2019m not speaking for the council, but for myself as an individual elected member, is really wrap our heads around what is being proposed here and then try to position ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n