Tauranga's unelected commissioners have asked the Government to delay local elections for another year. Democracy is the cornerstone of the New Zealand Constitution a fundamental right our forbearers fought and died for.

The Commissioner's call to retain Governance in our City is a democratic outrage. We can do little other than observe Wellington-appointed commissars make sweeping decisions on council rates and spending with no accountability to local ratepayers.

And now they want to hold on to power for even longer. The dissolution of the elected council was meant to be a temporary emergency measure. We call on your authority as Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to restore the democratic rights of Tauranga ratepayers and reinstate local elections this year.”

P Bourne, Mount Maunganui.