Welcome to the 7th Newsletter for CityWatch NZ
This month we cover a broad range of topics on CityWatch NZ. We feature a nationwide plan by ‘The New Zealand Initiative’ to introduce variable/universal road pricing, congestion charges, and Smart Road User Charges.
We cover the growing opposition to Wellington City Council’s plan to install five raised crossings on a main arterial road. The Thorndon Quay “improvements” project is expected to cost over $55 million. There is growing discontent with Wellington City Council has prompted outspoken criticism of how councils are operating around the country. The view that ‘bureaucracy is overpowering democracy’ is being more widely expressed and hopefully this will help drive nationwide reforms of local government.
This month we have a number of interesting opinion pieces. Hamilton Councillor Andrew Bydder provides his response to complaints about his comments in a neighbouring council’s consultation process. He also provides us with insight into how ‘Council Maths is… different’ in an article about council finances. We also have an article referencing zombies about an Environmental Court case between a Hamilton resident and the Hamilton City Council.
We are continuing to follow Hamilton City Councils Long-Term Plan (of massively increasing rates bills and city debt levels) along with the associated petition to stop the increases. We have another article on the Te Huia Train Service.
We also have updated information on the by-election in Hamilton for the Maaori Ward Seat (voting closes at noon on August 7th) and the recent Tauranga City Council election results.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE’S NATIONWIDE ROAD PRICING PLAN
In nationwide news, The New Zealand Initiative has been heavily promoting the future introduction of variable/universal road pricing, congestion charges, and Smart Road User Charges. Such schemes would cause major changes in New Zealand and are being promoted by an interesting assortment of organisations and political parties. Next month CityWatch NZ will be covering the arguments for and against these schemes.
The New Zealand Initiative self-identifies as a “Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses“. The think tank’s Senior fellow, Dr Matthew Birchall, has authored a 44-page report (and numerous opinion pieces this year) arguing for the introduction of a “transformative reform of transport funding” with a “pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) billing system”. The following quotes from the report provide insight into how promoters describe these schemes. They clearly show why this is a critical issue that CityWatch NZ will be focusing on this year.
“As an economist, I have long been a proponent of road pricing. How could any economist not be?
Road pricing is a simple idea, grounded in basic economic principles, that has the potential to revolutionise how we manage and fund our transport infrastructure. Yet, despite its clear benefits, road pricing has often struggled to gain political traction. The public resistance to the idea, fuelled by misperceptions about fairness and fears of increased costs, has been a formidable obstacle.”
Dr Oliver Hartwich (Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative) in the foreword to DRIVING CHANGE How Road Pricing Can Improve Our Roads, The New Zealand Initiative, July 2024
“Technology is no longer a barrier to the implementation of a road pricing system based on distance, time and location. This is not to say that it will be easy – equipping New Zealand’s entire fleet with devices linked to payment accounts will be a significant challenge for the Ministry of Transport, NZTA Waka Kotahi and private providers. However, we are no longer constrained by the technological hurdles that hindered previous generations from adopting universal road pricing.
The rapid advancement of technologies such as satellite navigation systems, automatic number plate recognition and 5G connectivity heralds a new era for road pricing. This digital revolution enables distance-based, dynamic and location-specific charging that was previously impractical or prohibitively expensive; the future is already here.”
Page 29 of DRIVING CHANGE How Road Pricing Can Improve Our Roads, Dr Matthew Birchall, The New Zealand Initiative, July 2024
An initial overview of the report can be found at the link below -
New Zealand Initiative Report: Driving Change – How road pricing can improve our roads
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL’S $55-67 MILLION THORNDON QUAY PROJECT
Opposition is growing to the Wellington City Council’s $55-65 million plan to install five raised crossings (speed humps) on one of the capital’s busy arterial roads (a 1.7km stretch at Thorndon Quay). This has led to a wide range of critical coverage in the media with many groups combining to challenge these ”traffic calming” installations. Concerns about the side-effects of the “raised crossing” speed humps, including damage to vehicles and impacts on emergency response times, are now receiving considerable media coverage. It now seems that councils have lost the ability to easily dismiss the side-effects. Auckland and Hamilton residents have been confronting “traffic calming“ issues over the last year. Increased awareness from these prior confrontations may help Wellington avoid the worst impacts of the ‘raised safety crossing’ trend.
Opposition mobilises against the five raised crossings on Thorndon Quay, Wellington
Other issues facing Wellington have split councillors and prompted harsh criticism. In an opinion piece in The Post, Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert made accusations of financial mismanagement. Councillor Calvert covers what she sees as a lack-of-transparency, broken promises, rates increases, neglect of essential infrastructure “staggering” increases in operational spending, debt growing over $1 billion, negative credit watch, and “costly projects with questionable returns”.
For further information we have re-posted one of Bryce Edwards’ articles from April 2024, which covers many of the major issues facing the Wellington City Council and Mayor Tory Whanau.
Democracy Project Article: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
PROBLEMS WITH BUREAUCRATIC POWER
The wider dysfunction in Wellington City Council has prompted more outspoken criticism of how local government is operating. The dysfunction at Wellington City Council is drawing wider attention to the problem of unelected bureaucrats holding too much power and influence over local councils.
Political Analyst Bryce Edwards at the Democracy Project has written a great article about the issues with the ‘Professional Managerial Class’ dominating decision-making in local government. CityWatch NZ has posted a summary, though the full article is definitely recommended reading.
Democracy Project Article: When Unelected officials dominate the local democratic process
“Dysfunction and dissatisfaction appear to pervade many local government councils at the moment. Increasingly, the blame for this is accumulating around the role of the bureaucracy – the unelected officials and consultants, who stand accused of overstepping their mark and becoming the real decision-makers in local democracy.
In numerous councils around the country, elected councillors complain that the council officials, and often their council’s chief executive, have usurped the power to make decisions or at least come to dominate the elected councillors in their decision-making. This is a fundamental problem for the principles of democracy, in which the bureaucracy is supposed to serve those with the elected mandate.”
Bryce Edwards, When Unelected officials dominate the local democratic process, Democracy Project, 19 June 2024
Another interesting article from the Democracy Project is by Left wing Political Commentator Chris Trotter who writes about the recent dysfunction in Wellington City Council and wider problems in New Zealand’s local government.
The view that ‘bureaucracy is overpowering democracy’ is being more widely expressed and hopefully this will help to drive nationwide reforms of local government.
On the topic of local government bureaucrats, CityWatch NZ has an explainer article about the professional society for local government executives and managers which is branded Taituarā. The article serves as an introduction to who is funding this organisation and how it is operating in New Zealand.
Organisations who are attempting to shape the future of New Zealand’s cities and wider society deserve scrutiny. Thus CityWatch NZ aims to produce further ‘explainer’ articles on other ‘organisations of influence‘.
HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL ISSUES
CityWatch NZ features a few articles written by Hamilton Councillor Andrew Bydder. In the first two articles he responded to complaints concerning the language he used in a Waipa District Council consultation. In his last article he focuses on local government financial practices and explains how “Council Maths… is different”.
OPINION: Rage against the machine
This month CityWatch NZ has also posted a story concerning the Resource Management Act, where trees endangering a house were cut down and Hamilton City Council’s response lead to the Environment Court.
OPINION: Plague of the Zombies
In July, Hamilton City Council had a survey on Parks and Open Spaces (which opened and closed in less than a month). This was an opportunity to educate the Hamilton City Council on how the City’s parks and public spaces should be managed.
Hamilton City Council Parks and Open Spaces survey
Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan was approved by Council vote on the 4th of July. Five councillors (Geoff Taylor, Andrew Bydder, Emma Pike, Mark Donovan, and Tim MacIndoe) voted against the plan.
The plan involved a 16.5% rates increase in the first year with rates bills set to double within 6 years. The plan is also projected to double the City Council’s debt before 2030. Mayor Paula Southgate and Deputy Mayor Angela O’Leary voted for the Long-Term plan along with the following six councillors: Anna Casey-Cox, Kesh Naidoo-Rauf, Louise Hutt, Maxine Van Oosten, Moko Tauriki, and Sarah Thomson.
The “STOP HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL RATE INCREASES” petition is still open and at this point has gathered nearly 1500 signatures. Share the petition link widely to support.
https://www.change.org/p/stop-hamilton-city-council-rate-increases
[When forwarding a link to a change.org petition, please let people know that they don’t need to pay anything to sign a petition. The change.org website often asks for a payment, though it is optional]
Email your Hamilton City Councillors if you have views on the rates increases, growing debt, or the inability of Council staff to lower running costs without reducing services. Make sure you let your Councillors know that their voting record on these issues will affect your will voting at the next election.
Email addresses for Hamilton City Councillors
TE HUIA TRAIN
We continue covering issues with the Te Huia train service with part 1 of a dive into the history of passenger connections between Auckland and Hamilton.
OPINION: Te Huia History Part 1 (1968-2010)
HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL KIRIKIRIROA MAAORI WARD BY-ELECTION 2024
The by-election for Hamilton’s Maaori Ward is set to finish at noon on the 7th of August 2024. Please encourage eligible voters to cast their vote. Turnout for by-elections is typically very low. Added to this problem is the generally low voter turnout in Hamilton City Council elections and typically even lower turnout for the Kirikiriroa Maaori Wards. Voting is especially important given the need for better decision making from Hamilton’s Councillors.
At this stage, with less than one week to go, it is best that eligible voters place their voting papers directly into one of the ballot boxes located around the City.
For further details see the Hamilton City Council webpage -
CityWatch NZ’s page covering this by-election can be found at the link below -
Hamilton City Council Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward By-election 2024.
TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL ELECTION 2024
The voting closed on Saturday 20 July 2024. The Tauranga City Council election concluded with Mahé Drysdale becoming Mayor and 9 councillors being elected to replace the commissioners. The reported voter return rate for this election was 38.7%.
Mayor: Mahé Drysdale
Arataki Ward: Rick Curach
Bethlehem Ward: Kevin Schuler
Matua-Otūmoetai Ward: Glen Crowther
Mauao/Mount Maunganui Ward: Jen Scoular
Pāpāmoa Ward: Steve Morris
Te Awanui Ward: Mikaere Sydney
Tauriko Ward: Marten Rozeboom
Te Papa Ward: Rod Taylor
Welcome Bay Ward: Hautapu Baker
[ Information from https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/council-news-and-updates/latest-news/artmid/456/articleid/11453 ]
For further details see the Tauranga City Council webpage -
https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/about-your-council/elections-2024
The CityWatch NZ page on this election is linked below -
Tauranga City Council Election 2024.
If there is an upcoming local by-election or local politics event you think CityWatch NZ should be covering, email the details to contact@citywatchnz.org
UPCOMING ISSUES
Over the next few months CityWatch NZ will be focusing on the following issues.
Smart Cities and the Smart Cities Council
Auckland Transport’s “Traffic Calming“ and Emergency Vehicles
City Council Surveillance Capabilities and the Push for Road Pricing Schemes (Congestion Charges etc)
Growing Council Debts and Other Council Finance Issues
Three Waters Reforms
The Te Huia Train between Hamilton and Auckland
We have opinion pieces arriving on many of these issues. CityWatch NZ is open to covering many different sides. If you are interested in volunteering an opinion piece or know someone who would write on these issues email content@citywatchnz.org for more information.
The following information has been posted in previous newsletters
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP CITYWATCH NZ?
We need more groups to add to our directories of Local Group Contact Details and Issue-based Group Contact Details. If you know of a local group challenging or engaging with local government or a New Zealand-wide group focused on relevant issues, send them a link to CityWatchNZ.org or ask them to email contact@citywatchnz.org. We will email them a template and ask their permission to add their group to the directory.
As the website grows, and especially as we look at creating regional sub-newsletters, we will need the help of volunteers and contractors. If you have an interest or background in editing or creating content and want to help CityWatchNZ grow, email contact@citywatchnz.org with a brief description of your skill set including whether you are interested in volunteer and/or paid contractor work.
CITYWATCHNZ.ORG WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
CityWatch NZ is running active investigations on various issues and will be continuing to post articles to the website. A number of future explainer articles are being worked on to bring attention to the groups, agendas, policies, and terminology being used to reshape our cities. We are planning on gradually adding more regions to the website (especially those regions with active groups challenging their councils).
We hope to be posting some wins in 2024. CityWatch NZ aims to feature articles and case studies about communities who were successful in resisting or reversing the unwanted changes imposed upon them. These should be more than just brief ‘feel good’ stories and should feature details on tactics and approaches which have been effective. To help enable other New Zealanders to learn from successful groups and campaigns.
It will be helpful if people share CityWatchNZ.org content on social media. Note that Twitter (X) may not like Substack links. If you have a request for features that would help with sharing content on social media or staying up-to-date with CityWatch NZ content, email your suggestions to feedback@citywatchnz.org and we will see what we can do.
THE ‘WHAT IS TO BE DONE’ SERIES OF OPINION PIECES
CityWatch NZ is planning to post a series of ‘What is to be Done’ opinion pieces in 2024. The purpose of this series is to share a wide range of ideas to facilitate solving problems with local government and urban development in New Zealand. Given the many issues facing local government, reforms will be needed in the near future. CityWatch NZ consider it is important that well-informed discussions about underlying problems and proposed reforms take place in a public forum.
If you are interested in volunteering an opinion piece or know of someone who can write on these issues, email content@citywatchnz.org for more information.
SUBSTACK E-NEWSLETTER
At this stage, the plan is to keep the e-Newsletters freely available without needing a paid Substack subscription. We currently email a monthly Substack e-Newsletter summarising content from our website. We are open to feedback and suggestions to help improve the newsletter. We also plan to create a feature whereby people can subscribe to a ‘sub-Substack’ email list; for a different version of the newsletters focusing on specific regions and cities.
Aside from the monthly e-Newsletters, the Substack email list will be used for informing subscribers of time-critical issues. We will endeavor to send these ‘urgent’ emails sparingly. However, projects being rushed-through with minimal consultation is quite normal when dealing with local government. This means that rapid responses may be needed on a variety of issues.
The Substack platform also has other features (such as polls) which could be useful in the future to gain feedback from our readers. We plan to trial the Substack features in 2024.