Democracy has departed Tauranga

I was very disappointed that the Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, recently came to Tauranga, to make an announcement on the future of the government appointed commissioners and that she believed that an invitation-only event was the most appropriate way to make the actual announcement.

A former long-term councillor and Mayor 2016/2019, having heard of the meeting, attended but was refused access to the meeting and was required to sit outside the room which I believe is an appalling outcome.

More interesting, of course, was the makeup of the 30 special invitees which appear to be all supporters of a continuation of the undemocratic state that Tauranga faces and included people such as a former Deputy Mayor who retired from council some 15 years ago.

And then even worse still, the Minister for Local Government, decided to extend the term of the government appointed commissioners, through to July 2024 being a date that there is currently a likelihood that the incumbent government will no longer be in power.

Why should Tauranga face more than three years of government-appointed commissioners and the power that they display with announcing huge increases in consent fees, rates and other council costs with virtual impunity.

M Baker, Bethlehem.

1 comment

Democracy

Posted on 06-04-2022 14:15 | By peanuts9

Democracy did not leave Tauranga with the appointment of the commissioners. It left many years ago with the continual election of incompetent, tone-deaf, self-serving councillors.


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