Later this year the hoardings will go up as candidates compete for a seat, to represent their communities around our council tables for another three years.

And it is beginning already with Mayor Tim Cadogan’s announcement of his intention to stand for re-election.

Residents of Central Otago have the important task of reading the blurbs, debating with mates, then flex their voting muscles to decide who gets in.

As that time nears, however, what lies beyond those rather welcome and familiar good-old-fashioned local body election rituals, starts to come into view. Vast changes are in the wind for how we run things in Central Otago and across New Zealand and not everyone is confident they will be a good thing.

Who’s in charge, what they’re in charge of and how they manage each role is all set for a considerable shake-up under what’s known as the Future for Local Government Review.

Nigel McKinlay is an elected member of the Central Otago District Council who is a lead in the three waters portfolio, a member of the audit and risk committee and appointed member of the Cromwell Community Board.

He fears centralisation and amalgamation of councils will “almost certainly” be a major part of the reforms and it may not be too long before they start to creep in.

“Based on the speed of change this government has applied in other sectors, if it is returned to power next year in the general election then it is highly likely that local body elections as we know them will be substantially altered. As part of any such changes it is highly likely community boards

will dramatically change and be weaker.”

Most local government spending is on infrastructure, the environment, and facilities and services like roading and transport, drinking water and wastewater, waste management, planning and urban development, natural and ecological enhancement, and provision of parks, gardens, sports fields,

libraries, pools and information centres.

The government has created a Review Panel to assess what needs to change and in its interim report the issues are shaping. In the background too, general reforms which are swirling around the Resource Management Act and three waters, are expected have considerable impacts on local government.

There’s much talk about community wellbeing becoming more a part of local government as well as firm provision for Maori interests or values. With over 160 different ethnicities or cultural identities in New Zealand, more of a voice for any under-represented groups is desired through the reforms.

Cr Nigel McKinlay has serious concerns for the future of local government, in the face of fast-paced changes being proposed.

For Nigel, it is not only the pace and sequence of change that were worrying, but also the possible consequences for local decision-making power.

“These changes are being applied at speed and in no logical manner, with confusing and overlapping impacts. Changes are needed but they would be better if they were prioritised and introduced incrementally.

Our system of local government in Central Otago is sound. Reform is needed, especially to our funding model and around the workloads imposed by central government, but If we attempt to do too much too quickly we will lose local control and local democracy. We need evolution, what we are facing is a revolution.”

High Time for Change

The current local government structure was put in place over thirty years ago, Central Otago District Council mayor Tim Cadogan says.

“That’s a long time to go without having a think about whether things can be done better.” The Review Panel say many authorities are now under pressure and there is an atmosphere of “mutual misunderstanding” between them and central government.

A common cause of this ailment was the often-considerable impact on small councils of having to enforce new regulations coming from Wellington.

Mayor Tim says this misalignment between levels of government was a concern.

“The major thing I have been emphasising to the panel members is how hard it is to adequately get around a district that covers 10,000sqkm and not to presume that what might work in the city environment will work so well here.”

Central Otago is home to four of New Zealand’s 110 community boards. Ours is one of 61 district or city councils and is neither the largest or smallest in area. At 24sqkm tiny Kawerau takes the latter honour and all the bodies combined, including the 6 unity authorities and 11 regional councils, cost

$11.8B annually to run.

The Panel’s interim report has a very generalised tone and it won’t be until the final version is presented to the Minister of Local Government – currently the Hon. Nanaia Mahuta – in 12 months, that more specific details are known.

The Panel are saying, however, that the system is too complex as it is and doesn’t provide for good decision-making.

“Future local authorities will need to be designed and sized in a manner that ensures financial viability and sustainability, including sufficient capacity to absorb shocks and respond to local challenges, while also continuing to contribute to community-led governance and local well-being,”

the interim report states.

In the meantime taking an interest in our upcoming elections would seem a good way for ratepayers and all residents to do their bit to secure the best possible future for Central Otago.

Despite Nigel McKinlay’s misgivings about the changes ahead, he has confidence in local government and believes being part of it allows members an important role in representing local interest.

“What’s great about the job is it gives the opportunity to represent your community. I believe that the Central Otago District Council is a well run, hardworking organisation. Being part of it in a governance role at council or community board level, is a privilege.”

With the elections still six months away he declined to say whether he would be standing this time but council colleague Tamah Alley says she’ll be there.

Tamah, who is in her first term as a councillor, doesn’t believe this will be the last election of its kind but she is aware of the potential for change.

“I personally don’t think this will be the “last” election of the type we are used to for Local Government, although there are a lot of potential options that may come into the mix.

She encourages Central Otago residents to learn about and have their say on the changes when the opportunity comes. 

“I would ask that people take the time to look through consultation documents that come out, and to consider and submit on what this might mean for not only our current ratepayers, but communities into the future, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”