1 Oct 2018

Discontent with local councils growing across NZ - expert

From Morning Report, 6:16 am on 1 October 2018

A specialist in local governance and politics says the formation of a New Zealand ratepayers' alliance is a sign of growing discontent with councils. Ratepayer groups from around New Zealand plan to meet in Nelson next month to set up a national body. The organisers say people are fed-up with soaring rates, debt levels, and deals done behind closed doors. Andy Asquith, who's a senior lecturer at Massey University, says soaring debt is just a symptom of what's gone wrong. Dr Asquith says people feel their councillors don't represent them - and they're right - because so much power these days is vested in chief executives. He told Lois Williams the Kaipara sewerage loan disaster is a prime example of the result.