Welcome to the 9th Newsletter for CityWatch NZ
In this newsletter we provide an update on the situation at Shaw’s Bird Park, where private property rights are in direct conflict with Hamilton City Council’s expensive ambitions. Concrete barricades and fences were installed and the park’s owner, Murray Shaw, was arrested.
Hamilton City Council’s financial situation became publicly worse with a major credit rating downgrade. Standard & Poor’s (S&P) justified this rating downgrade in a report that describes Hamilton’s “exceptionally large deficit”. CityWatch NZ published three opinion pieces in September about Hamilton’s financial situation, wasteful spending, and the dangers of letting councils borrow more for Three Waters.
Hamilton City Council’s plans to spend $689,000 installing a single raised crossing were delayed in a recent committee meeting. As Council waits on further funding information from NZTA, one of our CityWatch NZ editors explains how raised crossings are used to get city councils deeper into debt.
The contentious issue of water fluoridation is regaining prominence with the “Stop Water Fluoridation” petition to parliament gathering over 11,800 signatures and a highly anticipated US court ruling being released.
Wellington City Council is facing more opposition as multiple groups prepare for the next election campaign and a petition to parliament to replace the Wellington City Councillors with commissioners gains thousands of signatures.
Consultations are finishing in early October for three proposed toll roads, and the Ombudman is seeking public feedback on how selected councils handle official information requests.
GET INFORMED & GET INVOLVED
CityWatch NZ’s main purpose is to raise awareness and provide useful information for addressing the issues impacting New Zealand’s cities. Our editors and contributors have a range of views on a range of issues. They do not agree on every issue and every proposed fix for those issues. That is healthy and new contributions on local government issues are welcome. CityWatch NZ can provide a platform for both sides on a range of issues, though we expect content to focus on issue-based discussions and evidence-based criticisms instead of personal attacks.
CityWatch NZ does encourage people to get involved in local government. Local government politics is often a deserted wasteland with minimal public engagement, apathy, demoralisation, and low voter turnouts. That needs to change.
Learn about an issue that impacts or interests you or those you care about. Email some councillors. Talk to your neighbours. Attend a meeting. Sign a petition. Send in a response to a consultation (one line or ten pages). Contact a local group,or start a local group. Distribute flyers. Send back questions about council activities in response to a rates demand. Vote for candidates or become a candidate.
A combination of many small efforts from enough people can make a huge difference.
In a recent podcast interview, also featuring Hamilton City Council Deputy Mayor Angela O’Leary, Wellington City Council Mayor (Green Party-endorsed and former corporate lobbyist) Tory Whanau said this in response to a question about receiving public feedback…
“I kinda thought that mayors, sort of, flew under the radar a lot more, um, which is kinda why I went for council in the first place…”
Wellington City Council Mayor Tory Whanau, on the Paul... The Other One Podcast, 21 September 2024*
Many councils have serious issues that are made worse by minimal levels of scrutiny and a lack of accountability. The bad news is this means council roles can attract and retain officials who like these low-scrutiny and low-accountability conditions. The good news is that it does not take much effort to significantly increase the levels of scrutiny and accountability.
[*Editor’s Note: The full podcast on Paul Barlow’s “Paul... The Other One” Youtube channel is worth watching. It provides insight into the attitudes, mindsets, and agendas operating within these two notoriously dysfunctional city councils. At some stage CityWatch NZ will also address Paul Barlow’s false and misleading statements (and rampant hypocrisy), though we currently have more important issues to cover and limited time each month.]
SHAW’S BIRD PARK UPDATE
Shaw’s Bird Park was barricaded with concrete blocks and fences in September as diggers moved in and destroyed more of the park for a new road servicing the Peacocke suburb development. Murray Shaw, the owner and creator of the Bird Park, was arrested for trespassing on the land and was released later that day. Murray has a court appearance on Friday 4 October 2024 (9:00 am, Hamilton District Court).
Shaw’s Bird Park: Diggers, Barricades, and Trespass Notices
Hamilton City Council has gotten deep into debt to fund the Peacocke development and appears to be breaking earlier promises made not to destroy the Bird Park.
OPINION: Shaw’s Bird Park: Broken Promises and Debt-fuelled Destruction
HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL ISSUES AND THREE WATERS REFORMS
S & P Global (a.k.a Standard & Poor’s) has recently downgraded Hamilton City Council’s financial ratings which is expected to cause higher interest rates on the Council’s rapidly growing debts.
“We have lowered our ratings on Hamilton because the financial outlook is--and recent outcomes have been--much weaker than we previously expected. We believe this reflects a deterioration in financial management. We estimate the council's after capital account deficit will be much higher than peers', at about 36% of total revenue, over fiscals 2023-2027. Further adding to credit risk is the more than tripling of interest costs over the past three years.
We estimate Hamilton will deliver one of the largest deficits in the world in fiscal 2025, at 44% of total revenue. This is after accounting for historically large general property rate increases, savings initiatives, and deferrals of capex. This follows an exceptionally large deficit of more than 50% of total revenue in fiscal 2024. The deficit in fiscal 2024 was one of the highest in the New Zealand council sector, which has lagged all other local government systems that S&P Global Ratings rates across the world.”
Hamilton City Council Downgraded To 'A+/A-1' On Weakening Financial Management And Large Deficits; Outlook Negative, S&P Global, 05 September 2024
Former Councillor and Chartered Accountant, Rob Pascoe, gives his opinion on the credit rating downgrade and the difficulties the Council will have in regaining the AA- credit rating it held for almost a decade.
OPINION: Hamilton City Council’s Credit Downgrade Not a Surprise
Rob Pascoe also expressed concern at the prospect of the Council creating a new water company given the lack of financial understanding and fiscal prudence shown by Councillors.
“Water reform will add to this and it seems thus far the councillors have absolutely no idea on how the funding and finances of a water company will work.
While many have the best interests of the city at heart, they still fail to understand the finances and the fiscal prudence needed when considering their decisions alongside the local government act and other statutes, and indeed good business practice.”
Former Hamilton City Councillor Rob Pascoe, Hamilton City Council’s Credit Downgrade Not a Surprise, 15 September 2024
Also expressing concern with the new Three Waters or “Local Waters Done Well“ entities, Geoff Kreegher explains the dangers of central government allowing councils to increase their debt-to-revenue ratios, borrow more, then impact ratepayers with huge interest payments.
OPINION: Hamilton City Council Borrowing to Increase
The coalition government and LGFA are increasing the allowed debt-to-revenue ratios for councils. These are expected to be increased to 350% of revenue for “high growth” cities such as Hamilton, and the debt limits have already been increased to 500% of water revenue for the new water entities (Council Controlled Organisations, CCOs).
Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder’s latest opinion piece covers the massive planned spend on Three Waters infrastructure and the burden this could put on households within the Waikato. He also covers more wasteful spending and lack of consultation by councils on raised platforms.
OPINION: Councils are Out of Control
“This general lack of accountability is leading to poor decisions and waste, driving the current massive rates increases. Around the corner from my home, Waipa District Council is digging up a new roundabout it finished two months ago to put in four raised crossings, despite the government telling councils not to do this. Not only is this yet another waste of money, it has resulted in a lack of public consultation and transparency. Had the crossings been included in the original design, the public could have opposed the roundabout.
Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder, Councils are Out of Control, 26 September 2024
HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL’S PLAN TO SPEND $689,000 ON ONE RAISED CROSSING
On 26 September 2024, The Council’s Infrastructure and Transport Committee voted unanimously (14-0) to delay the decision on approving another raised pedestrian crossing on Heaphy Terrace near the Boundary Road roundabout.
The delay is to wait on a clear response from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) about whether the crossing design can be changed. NZTA is expected to cover 90% of the $689,000 cost of the crossing, though Council risks losing that subsidy if they move the crossing further away from the roundabout or change the design (such as installing a traditional non-raised crossing option).
Councillors are all supportive of an improved pedestrian crossing at this location, though debates surround the choice of crossing-type, its exact placement, and impacts on the roundabout.
In the meeting, Councillors compromised on the issue of installing three raised crossing on the planned Morrinsville Road/Silverdale Road/Matangi Road roundabout. Meeting minutes indicate that Council agreed to two raised crossing on the side roads and a non-raised signalised crossing on Morrinsville Road (currently part of State Highway 26).
Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing delayed
CityWatch NZ Editor John McDonald weighed in on the issue and explained how the Council is using raised platforms to get deeper into intergenerational debt. He agreed that a safer crossing is urgently needed at the Heaphy Terrace location, though argues for a non-raised crossing with traffic lights (signalised crossing) at a safer distance from the from the busy roundabout.
OPINION: Why Vote Against “Safety” and “Free Money”?
John McDonald’s opinion piece also drew attention to Hamilton City Council staff’s advice in February 2024 regarding the larger planned project on Te Aroha Street and Ruakura Road (plans which featured many raised crossings and in-lane bus stops).
“61. Given the government’s stated priorities on transport, staff believe there is a growing risk that NZTA Waka Kotahi will not provide the expected subsidy of $14 million over the first three years of the Long-Term Plan for the Eastern Pathways School Link (Te Aroha St) project.
62. As well as meaning that project would not be able to go ahead (unless we can find replacement funding), this would have a significant impact on our debt to revenue ratio noting we are already close to our limits. Every $1 million of revenue that Council loses represents $2.8 million it cannot spend."
Item 8, on page 48 in 20 February 2024 Hamilton City Council Agenda v2
If the above financial practice is still being used within Council, one $689,000 raised zebra crossing could be used to get the Council $1,736,000 deeper into debt.
“STOP WATER FLUORIDATION” PETITION GATHERS MOMENTUM AND IS SUPPORTED BY COURT RULING
The parliamentary petition from Fluoride Free New Zealand to “Stop water fluoridation“ has gathered over 11,800 signatures and is due to close on 19 November 2024 (11:59 pm).
“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.”
A major US court ruling on water fluoridation has reported that fluoridation of drinking water at 0.7 mg/L is a hazard with a risk of reducing IQ levels in children. The judge found that current water fluoridation levels were an unreasonable health risk. New Zealand authorities currently aim to fluoridate public drinking water supplies at between 0.7 and 1.0 mg/L.
US court ruling on fluoride in drinking water being a health hazard
“In all, there is substantial and scientifically credible evidence establishing that fluoride poses a risk to human health; it is associated with a reduction in the IQ of children and is hazardous at dosages that are far too close to fluoride levels in the drinking water of the United States.”
Page 6, FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW for the case of FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC., et al., v. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, et al., 24 September 2024
MULTIPLE GROUPS FORMING AS OPPOSITION TO WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL GROWS
The Taxpayer Union seeks donations for a new Wellington Ratepayer’s Alliance group, mentioning Wellington City Council’s project to install a single sheltered bike rack that cost over $560,000 in their fundraising emails.
Once the target of $56,000 worth of donations are raised, presumably another “Ratepayers’ Alliance TM” group will be formed. It will be a Taxpayer Union project, joining the already established Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance and the Tauranga Ratepayers’ Alliance.
Another group, called Better Wellington, is preparing for the 2025 council election. This group is highly critical of non-independent Councillors in Wellington City Council, wasteful spending, and the power of council bureaucrats.
“…Councillors are to govern. We elect people to lead, not be led. Wellington City needs councillors who are ready, willing and able to make the Council staff accountable to the elected representatives. We don’t want bureaucrats determining the direction of our city!
It’s time to rein in excessive and unnecessary costs. The Council has spent millions of dollars on consultants and bureaucrats. All spending must be re-assessed. Back to the drawing board! Less is more.
Better Wellington seeks a freeze on the employment of new staff and it must cut back on existing staff numbers. Did you know there are 58 staff employed in communications? What do they do? Or 38 staff in the office of Climate Change…”
Better Wellington, Initial Policy Position, Accessed 02 October 2024
In other Wellington news, a parliamentary petition to appoint commissioners to replace Wellington City Council has gathered over 4370 signatures and has a closing date of 31 Oct 2024 (11:59 PM).
The petition can be found at this link…
https://petitions.parliament.nz/d41caf48-f796-4285-06c5-08dca4b2217f
The petition text is copied below…
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives urge the Minister of Local Government to appoint a Commission to replace Wellington City Council.
Petition reason
In my view, poor city planning has introduced new cycle lanes, removed hundreds of on-street carparks, and has adversely affected the free flow of transport and commerce with livelihoods destroyed. I believe the Council is both dysfunctional and incapable of properly managing the city finances and that ratepayers are now faced with unreasonable rate increases. Please sign this petition and let us all make change for a better Wellington.”
CONSULTATIONS ON THREE PROPOSED TOLL ROADS CLOSE SOON
All three consultations on these proposed toll roads close at 5:00pm on Monday 7 October 2024.
If you live nearby or expect to use these roads visit the links below, get informed about the projects, and get involved with the consultation process.
NZTA consultation on three proposed toll roads (closes 7 Oct 2024)
Ō2NL highway, Ōtaki to north of Levin
Takitimu North Link, near Tauranga
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh2-waihi-to-tauranga-corridor/takitimu-north-link/tolling/
Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, near Palmerston North
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.
Only select councils and council controlled organisations have been selected. If you have requested information from the following organisations share your experiences in these public surveys.
The public surveys close Friday 29 November 2024.
Organisations covered in these surveys include: Marlborough District Council, Wellington City Council, Wellington Water, Auckland Transport, and Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Ombudsman surveying public on OIA/LGOIMA and council transparency (closes 29 November 2024)
FURTHER OPEN CONSULTATIONS, PETITIONS, AND EVENT NOTICES
Public submissions are now being called for the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill
Closes Thursday, 14 November 2024, 1.59pm,
“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:
“Challenging Councils NZ” North Island Tour
Mark Quinn from “Challenging Councils” is doing a North Island tour and giving a number of talks in cities and towns. Details emailed to us are copied below…
“Given insight and knowledge through experience gained over the years, Mark is travelling NZ running seminars and helping to build common sense working groups to establish what is really behind local councils increasing debt and demanding massive increases in property tax.
In challenging councils NZ wide, we have the strict rule of being non political and neutral to all groups regardless of race creed belief we are here to build the numbers to be able to front the councils or the government and have them change there ways back to running a borough council type system which made a profit in its day…”
Kaeo, Thursday 3rd, The Eco Centre - 18 Waikari Ave, Kaeo, 2 pm
Kerikeri, Friday 4th, Kerikeri Baptist Church - 41 Hobson Ave, Kerikeri 7 pm
Whangarei, Saturday 5th - Senior Citizens Hall`- 4 Alexander St, Vinetown, 10 am
Mangakahia, Saturday 5th - Mangakahia Sports Complex - 689 Mangakahia Rd, 5 pm
Brynderwyns, Sunday 6th - The Skyliner Tearooms - 4800 Highway 1, Waipu, 9:30 am
Waihi, Thursday 10th - 15 Smith Street Waihi, 7pm
Katikati, Friday 11th - Memorial Hall - Main Road Katikati, 6:30
Tauranga, Saturday 12th - Greerton Community Hall - 1257 Cameron Road, 4:30
Rotorua, Monday 14th- Saint Mary’s Church, 40 Seddon Street, Glenholme, 7 pm
Whakatane, Tuesday 15th - Knox Church 83a Domain Road Whakatane, 7 pm
Further details can be found at https://m.facebook.com/groups/1264660404499165 or https://t.me/CCDiscussions
Rt Hon Winston Peters Hamilton Public Meeting
Information from the NZ First website copied below
2pm, Sunday 13 October, at The Distinction Hotel.
New Zealand First brings steel to this government as we address issues of critical importance to take back our country.
Like minded New Zealanders across the country will be attending this public meeting by the Leader of New Zealand First. See you there.”
Further details can be found at
https://www.nzfirst.nz/hamilton-oct-24
Petition of Wim Rosloot: Align annual property rate increases with inflation
Closing date: 08 Jan 2025 11:59 PM 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.”
Petition of Liam Calder: Civics Education introduced into the New Zealand Curriculum
Closing date: 04 Nov 2024 11:59 PM NZST
Link: https://petitions.parliament.nz/f2b7fa5b-c646-4b50-2dd9-08dc4ae4ed2b
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives update and make mandatory Civics and Government education in schools for all rangatahi to teach them about society, to learn and engage with government and how to create change. We would be educating the leaders of tomorrow about the nation which will one day be theirs”
https://petitions.parliament.nz/f2b7fa5b-c646-4b50-2dd9-08dc4ae4ed2b
Petition of Alan Roy Peacock: Limit local authority rate increases to a maximum of the annual inflation rate
Closing date: 31 Oct 2024 11:59 PM NZST
Link: https://petitions.parliament.nz/999ed2fd-3c35-4aaf-1386-08dcc64e8d83
“Petition request
That the House of Representatives pass legislation that limits any increases in regional or local Council rates and levies to a maximum of the current rate of inflation.”
Posting of event information, petition information, consultation viewpoints, or other content on the CityWatch NZ website or CityWatch NZ newsletter does not necessarily 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.
[Editing Note 15 October 2024: A few typos corrected]