Further on Amalgamations

 In 1989 the Local Government reforms foist on the country by the Labour Government , were spun on the issue of efficiency. It was not a case of councils not doing the job and I would suggest the large counties at the time were already functioning effectively and efficiently. 

25 years ago the push to amalgamate councils in Hawkes Bay was pushed on the idea of efficiency and economies of scale.

 The result was a shakeup that saw better sharing of resources but no change to the makeup as ratepayers could see the setup was working well for the people.

Once again the push to amalgamate is being led by Central Government who always think they can force things to be better .They listen to the parties that do not understand local government .Usually business people who try and apply business solutions to a governance situation.

One of the main proponents of amalgamation in this round mounted his high horse because councils were not beating to his drum. 

I get the problem but bigger is not better and there is a failure to recognise the source of the high rates being handed out across the country.

There has been a creep in legislation and a creep in numbers to deal with it.

More and more legislation has given rise to more and more staff and the strength of the unions has seen wages grow until they are at least 10% more than in the private sector.

We have a whole new bureaucracy that is distant from reality when it comes to practical aspects of life in the country .They have been fed a diet of RMA hysteria and Local Government power of general competence which has expanded the nice haves and hindered the should haves.

The last round of change has been a haven for busy bodies and lefties that see council as a way to etch out a decent wage and create a job for life. Councils are full of impractical people , special interest people and even many who don't pay rates.

It's the perfect match  for misfits and controllers.

Pre 1989 we had Pest Destruction Boards, Catchment Boards, Harbour Boards,  Drainage Boards and Electricity Supply Boards. It's interesting reflecting on what is happening in those areas now.

So Governance has changed but rates have continued to go up, legislation has become a minefield and now we have some clever monkeys that think they will make things better by emulating Auckland super city.

Well good luck with that.