Welcome to the 10th Newsletter for CityWatch NZ
We start this newsletter with some updates on the push back against speed humps. Tauranga City Council is removing a raised crossing after seven months due to noise and vibration issues impacting residents. Hamilton City Council voted to redesign the planned raised crossing on Heaphy Terrace that was estimated to cost $689,000. Hamilton Councillors instructed staff to prepare a design for a flat crossing instead and move the crossing location further away from the nearby roundabout.
In his October opinion piece, Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder draws on his experience as an architect and comments on the issues with Kianga Ora community housing. Don Hewison contributes a letter to government ministers for the new Open Letters section on the CityWatch NZ website and Jo Reeder reports on issues with an in-lane bus stop. We also have a brief update on delays in the court case related to the Shaw’s Bird Park dispute.
CityWatch NZ continues its in-depth coverage of the issues around congestion charges and road pricing schemes. Our latest article covers the Automobile Association’s position on the issues and the views of AA members on the proposed schemes. Public opposition to a proposed toll road led to packed town halls in Tararua this September and favourable media coverage.
Wellington City Council was the focus of a media frenzy in October as the government announced it will send a Crown observer to monitor the Council. We also give an update on the various groups and local opposition activities in Wellington.
In global news related to smart cities and the Internet of Things, we summarise coverage of a big tech billionaire’s comments about artificial intelligence and the emerging mass surveillance society.
The “Stop Water Fluoridation” petition to parliament has gathered over 13,700 signatures and will continue to be open for more signatures until 19 November 2024.
The Ombudsman is seeking public feedback in November on how selected councils handle official information requests. Links are provided to this as well as other open petitions and consultations.
TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL REMOVES RAISED CROSSING
A raised pedestrian crossing in the Matua suburb of Tauranga is being removed and replaced with a flat crossing.
According to the Bay of Plenty Times, the raised crossing in Tauranga is being removed after seven months due to noise and vibration problems for neighbouring houses. Tauranga City Council is reported to be acknowledging that the raised crossing has caused “unforeseen vibration issues” due to “unique localised ground conditions” and removing the crossing is estimated to cost $80,000.
“The worst thing is two of our bedrooms are close to the roadside so we often heard loud bangs when vehicles larger than an SUV drove over the speed bump.”
“I’d hate to think exactly how much this is all costing us ratepayers.”
“For goodness sake, this is a senseless waste of money.”
Local residents as quoted in Tauranga raised pedestrian crossing ripped out after vibration issues, returned to original design, Bay of Plenty Times, 11 October 2024
According to the article, Tauranga City Council had installed about 200 raised crossings as part of the previous government’s Road-to-Zero strategy.
HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL’S $689,000 RAISED CROSSING TO BE REDESIGNED
On 23 October 2024, the majority of Hamilton City Councillors voted (12-2) for the redesign of a proposed raised crossing into a level signalised pedestrian crossing. The Councillors also instructed Council staff to relocate the planned crossing further away from the busy roundabout on Heaphy Terrace and Boundary Road.
Some Council staff had been promoting the raised crossing close to the roundabout and have been unfavourable towards other crossing options. “Protected trees” were used by the Council staff as a major reason why the crossing couldn’t be moved further away from the roundabout. After being questioned in the Council meeting, the staff had to admit that there are no protected trees in that area. A few trees are listed as “Notable Trees” or “Proposed Notable Trees”.
Council is concerned about losing central government co-funding associated with the raised crossing (CERF scheme funds 90% of build projects for roading changes related to climate change policies). A motion was passed in Council to reallocate the NZTA funding under the CERF scheme towards bus stop upgrades and bike parking.
There has not yet been a full community consultation on the proposed crossings.
Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing to be redesigned
OPINION PIECES AND OPEN LETTERS
Andrew Bydder commented on the issues of costly Kianga Ora community housing and criticised the organisation for its inefficiency, …”added layers of bureaucracy, poor decision-making, and a lack of accountability” . His article compares the $1.7 miilion cost of Kianga Ora dwellings with similar ones he recent built that are valued at $700, 000 each.
OPINION: Building on Weak Foundations
Of course, the government should be doing this for much, much, lower cost. Kainga Ora has the advantages of large scale, lower borrowing costs, government security, bureaucratic short cuts such as issuing their own building consents, and a captive market. It should be able to beat me hands-down. But my latest development of four brand-new three-bedroom townhouses in Hamilton is valued at just $700,000 each. A million dollars less than the government system. What is going on?
Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder, Building on Weak Foundations, 25 October 2024
Don Hewison’s open letter to government ministers references the Local Government Act 2002, reminding each council that they are officially a Body Corporate, and asks the important question; Why the disparity between ‘what should be’ and ‘what is?’
OPEN LETTER: Getting Local Government ‘Back on Track’
The report of the survey in 2020 is known as the Quality of Life Survey 2020, Topline Report. On various pages of this report are some insights into the lack of democracy in local government. On page three Under Key Highlights – “Council processes”, are the results of two questions: “30% are confident in their local council’s decision-making” and “31% believe the public has an influence on council decision-making”. These figures seem to remain reasonably constant in other reports.
If two characteristics of a healthy democracy are ‘provides a mechanism for people to participate’ and ‘provides a mechanism for people to have a say’, then do these survey results indicate that approximately 70% of the respondents cannot consider that they have a healthy democratic local authority?
Don Hewison, Getting Local Government ‘Back on Track’, 25 October 2024
ISSUES WITH THE HAMILTON’S NEW IN-LANE BUS STOP
CityWatch NZ editor Jo Reeder starts her coverage of issues impacting Hamiltonian with a report on the infamous Hukanui Road in-lane bus stop with a raised crossing. Locals are reporting increased congestion, disrupted travel, more traffic fumes, and the impacts of extra speed bumps on those with health conditions.
Hukanui Road In-Lane Bus Stop and Unintended Consequences
CONGESTION CHARGES AND ROAD PRICING SCHEMES
The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) has conducted a number of surveys of its members which show strong opposition to the future congestion charges and road pricing schemes.
AA on Road Pricing: Members Views and the Association’s Position
As an organisation the AA is generally more supportive of congestion charges than its average member with at least one AA policy adviser advocating an “incremental” implementation of congestion charges to get the public to support the schemes.
“The AA is mindful that time-of-use charging has not been introduced anywhere that closely mirrors New Zealand’s low-density, car-centric cities. Those cities that do have congestion charging schemes in Europe and Asia have dense public transport networks that offer genuine, and often better, alternatives to driving.
Survey results of 16,000 Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington AA Members reveal considerable scepticism towards congestion charging. Fewer than one in three thought it should be given serious consideration, with many having concerns about whether it would be fair, affordable, or effective; others felt such a scheme might be too focused on revenue.
When considering its position on congestion charging, the AA took into account the views of AA Members as well as the lack of precedents with time-of-use charging in similar cities. It has also considered the fact that congestion will only get worse with population growth, and that there is a lack of other meaningful solutions to address the problem.
The Association is therefore open to, but cautious about the idea of time-of-use charging. Authorities need to address these concerns – effectiveness, equity, public support, and revenue allocation – before a case can be made for its introduction.”
Congestion charging: what do AA Members want? AA Directions Magazine, Spring 2024
MEDIA COVER OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED TOLL ROAD
State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge was closed in 2017 due to slips and the government has been building a new replacement highway (which is due to open in 2029). The new road is now named Te Ahu a Turanga or the Manawatū Tararua Highway. The coalition government has instructed that tolling is to be considered to help provide funding on major road building projects.
Various meetings of local residents opposing the possible toll road in Dannevirke and Woodville have packed out halls. Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis is taking a prominent role in the growing opposition and Labour Party politicians have publicly endorsed those opposing the tolls.
Media coverage of the growing opposition and sometimes rowdy meetings has been generally positive.
News coverage of the meetings to oppose the Tararua toll road
The consultation on Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway as a proposed toll road closed on Monday 7 October 2024.
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES EXTRA MEDIA ATTENTION IN OCTOBER
On the 22 October 2024 Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced that he is appointing a Crown observer to Wellington City Council. According to RNZ, the Crown Observer is to give the Minister monthly updates and will be paid by the City Council.
Crown Observer to monitor Wellington City Council
The Minister’s press release also states the Observer will “…assist the Council on matters of governance, financial strategy and planning, the Government will be working to ensure that Wellington City Council Ratepayers can have increased confidence in their Council and that the Long Term Plan decisions are finalised in accordance with the Local Government Act”
Wellington City Council received considerable media attention in October, both before and after the announcement of the Crown Observer. The Democracy Project has published lists containing dozens of these articles (lists linked to “before” and “after”).
According to a report in interest.co.nz, the Observer announcement occurred after left-wing and right-wing Councillors “…joined forces to halt…” Mayor Tory Whanau’s plan to sell shares in Wellington Airport. Without the funds from the airport share sales, Wellington City Council will need to re-evaluate its Long-term Plan.
The Local Government Minister has criticised the Council for using rates money to fund water infrastructure “…rather than appropriately using debt financing”. Dan Brunskill at interest.co.nz pointed out that Wellington City Council has already increased its debt levels greatly and is using rates increases to help support those increasing debt levels.
Both Wellington City Council and Hamilton City Council have been implementing the highest rates increases amongst New Zealand’s major cities. Both cities are planning to operate close to their existing debt limits over the next three years.
OTHER WELLINGTON CITY UPDATES
The Taxpayer Union is still collecting donations to setup a new Wellington Ratepayer’s Alliance group. The Better Wellington group has been running a petition to stop the Golden Mile development and held a related protest in Courtney Place on 3 October 2024.
The parliamentary petition to appoint commissioners to replace Wellington City Council gathered over 5567 signatures and closed on 31 Oct 2024
Another Wellington group calling itself “Vision for Wellington“ has recently emerged with coverage in the Stuff Limited publication, The Post. Because an owner of The Post is also part of the emerging “Vision for Wellington“ group, this has caused some controversy).
While Vision for Wellington states it is politically neutral, the timing ahead of crucial body elections next year means they could have a major influence over the outcome, given the number of heavy hitters that have put their name to the group…
…A document, supplied exclusively to The Post, said Wellingtonians were suffering a “crisis of confidence” brought about by the city council’s handling of finances, overspending, a lack of good leadership and “frustration at in-fighting and perceived ideology-fuelled decision-making at the expense of the needs and wishes of the city’s residents and ratepayers”.
Wellington movers, shakers, dames and knights, set goal for the capital, The Post, 25 October 2024
LARRY ELLISON’S COMMENTS ON AI AND MASS SURVEILLANCE
Oracle founder and ‘big tech’ billionaire Larry Ellison made public comments about AI and mass surveillance in September. Finance and technology publications covered the more controversial comments with references to 1984 and China’s Social Credit System. Oracle manages some of the largest databases in the world for both governments and corporations. With the drive to create smart cities based on surveillance technology and the Internet of things (IoT), the attitudes and aims of someone with Ellison’s influence are worth noting.
Coverage of Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s comments on AI and mass surveillance
George Orwell’s 1984 warned of a future where Big Brother watches every move. Today, modern technology is making that vision a reality, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison—the world’s second-richest person—sees a growing opportunity for his company to help authorities analyse real-time data from millions of surveillance cameras. “Citizens will be on their best behavior, because we’re constantly recording and reporting everything that is going on,” Ellison said in an hour-long Q&A during Oracle’s Financial Analyst Meeting last week.
Fortune reached out to Oracle for clarification, but officials did not respond.
The world Ellison described sounds eerily similar to China’s social credit system, which controls citizens’ behavior through a network of cameras using some of the world’s most advanced facial recognition software to surveil their populace.
Nevertheless, his prediction may already be here in a sense.
Christiaan Hetzner, Larry Ellison predicts rise of the modern surveillance state where ‘citizens will be on their best behavior’, Fortune, 18 September 2024
SHAW’S BIRD PARK UPDATE
After being arrested and released by police this September, Murray Shaw showed up at Hamilton District Court to face a trespass charge as part of the ongoing dispute around the Shaw’s Bird Park. Murray Shaw arrived at the courthouse before his scheduled appearance on the 4 October 2024 and was informed that the case had been rescheduled to the 19th of November 2024 in his absence. According to the Shaws, this is not the first time the courts have held meetings in their absence without informing them.
Murray Shaw is currently on bail with conditions that restrict his access to the Bird Park alongside his other titles on Hall Road.
The Shaws' plan to be back in the Hamilton District Court for the 10:00am hearing on the 19th of November 2024, after a holiday far away from the drama.
Shaw’s Bird Park: A Part Day in Court
“STOP WATER FLUORIDATION” PETITION
The parliamentary petition from Fluoride Free New Zealand to “Stop water fluoridation“ has now gathered over 13,700 signatures and is due to close on Tuesday 19 November 2024 at 11:59pm NZST
“Stop Water Fluoridation” petition (closes 19 Nov 2024)
The petition can be found at this link…
https://petitions.parliament.nz/501afaf6-330b-43c1-3e2a-08dc9d45d3fb
The petition text is copied below…
“Many qualified scientists say that exposure to the levels of fluoride in fluoridated communities causes a level of harm comparable to lead. The US National Toxicology Program’s 6-year review confirms that fluoride may lower children’s IQ. The Cochrane Review 2015, CATFISH study (2022, UK), and LOTUS study (2023, UK) show little or no benefit to teeth from fluoridated water.”
OMBUDSMAN’S SURVEYS ON TRANSPARENCY OF COUNCILS AND COUNCIL CONTROLLED ORGANISATIONS
The Chief Ombudsman is undertaking self-initiated investigations into the official information practices of a number of councils and council controlled organisations.
Ombudsman surveying public on OIA/LGOIMA and council transparency (closes 29 November 2024)
The public surveys close Friday 29 November 2024
Only select councils and council controlled organisations have been selected. If you have requested information from the following organisations please share your experiences in these public surveys.
Organisations covered in these surveys include: Marlborough District Council, Wellington City Council, Wellington Water, Auckland Transport, and Queenstown Lakes District Council.
VARIOUS OPEN CONSULTATIONS, PETITIONS, AND EVENT NOTICES
PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW BEING CALLED FOR THE BUILDING AMENDMENT BILL (OVERSEAS BUILDING PRODUCTS, STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION SCHEMES)
CLOSES THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 11.59PM NZST
“This bill would amend the Building Act 2004 to make it easier for designers and market participants to use new or competing building products. It would allow the Minister for Building and Construction to recognise overseas standards, and makes a number of other amendments to the Building Act to remove barriers to the import of overseas building products.”
Link:
PETITION OF MAYOR WESTON KIRTON ON BEHALF OF RUAPEHU DISTRICT COUNCIL: SAVE THE CHATEAU TONGARIRO HOTEL
CLOSES SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 11.59PM NZST
Link: https://petitions.parliament.nz/c9ffd862-08cd-46a0-5a8d-08dc72d04919
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives urge the Government to act quickly to save the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, restoring it to its former glory, serving as a vital centerpiece of cultural heritage, economic prosperity, and tourism excellence in the Ruapehu District and throughout New Zealand.”
PETITION OF KERRY PADGET: ENSURING THE INDEFINITE CIRCULATION OF CASH IN NEW ZEALAND
CLOSES THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2024 AT 11:59 PM NZST
Link: https://petitions.parliament.nz/75c58c85-468e-4338-97e9-08dcc56f0668
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives ensure that cash remains a legal and accessible form of currency indefinitely for all goods and services.”
PETITION OF WIM ROSLOOT: ALIGN ANNUAL PROPERTY RATE INCREASES WITH INFLATION
CLOSES WEDNESDAY 08 JANUARY 2025 AT 11:59PM NZST
Link: https://petitions.parliament.nz/43d99281-9261-45c9-3b6d-08dccfa5a0d4
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives introduce legislation requiring local councils to align annual increases in residential property rates with the official rate of inflation.”
PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW BEING CALLED FOR THE AUCKLAND HABOUR BOARD AND TAKAPUNA BOROUGH COUNCIL EMPOWERING ACT AMENDMENT BILL
CLOSES WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 11:59PM NZST
A local bill to allow the land where the Takapuna Boating Club Incorporated is located on to be “…used for commercial purposes, as long as it is principally used for community purposes”
Posting of event information, petition information, consultation viewpoints, or other content on the CityWatch NZ newsletter or website does not constitute endorsement of those views by CityWatch NZ or its editors. This section is largely based on information readers have sent to us on issues they think are important.
If there is a political/regulatory consultation, petition, or event you think might be of interest to CityWatch NZ readers, 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 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.
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. 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
We currently email a free 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.