Mayors call on National to keep promise to scrap Three Waters
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s mayors are hopeful the incoming Government will stick to its promise to scrap the Three Waters reforms.
The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have been among the more vocal opponents of the Labour Government’s Affordable Waters legislation.
The legislation, which was revised earlier this year, proposed the creation of 10 entities to control the country’s Three Waters infrastructure, with the North Canterbury councils included in the Canterbury/West Coast entity.
The National and Act parties campaigned on a promise to repeal the legislation and replace it with a new proposal based on community ownership of water services.
"We look forward to the new Government swiftly repealing the outgoing Government’s legislation to honour that commitment," said Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, co-chairperson of the lobby group Communities for Local Democracy (C4LD).
"Both leading into the campaign, and during the campaign, they’ve been clear with Kiwis that this was their intention, and they have the electoral mandate now to get on with it and fix this flawed reform."
Gordon said reform was urgently needed, but central and local government needed to work together to ensure the best outcome.
Three Waters was suggested as a solution to the country's ageing water service infrastructure.
The legislation aimed to give the new water organisations greater financial flexibility to make infrastructure upgrades to improve the safety, reliability and affordability of water services.
An alternative model was presented by Gordon in November, alongside Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger.
It would see the water regulator, Taumata Arowai, remain in place alongside local ownership.
Localised Regional Water Organisations (RWOs) were suggested as an alternative to the government’s proposed 10 entity model, which would be set up in partnership with Mana Whenua.
It was proposed the RWOs have access to investment capital through a new Water Infrastructure Fund, administered by central government’s Crown Infrastructure Partners.
The degree of any formal co-governance would be determined by local communities in consultation with mana whenua, rather than by central government, Gordon said.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said his preference was to join a North Canterbury RWO, which could include Kaikōura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch and Selwyn.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said her district had been concerned about the "loss of ownership" from early on.
"We look forward to progress being made on that commitment once the new Government is in place.
"There is a little bit of uncertainty at the moment and it will take a bit of time, but I have a high level of confidence because of the determination the parties expressed in the campaign."
She called on the new Government to work in "true partnership" with councils across the range of reforms, including the Resource Management Act reform and the future of local government.
Comment has been sought from Te Kura Taka Pini (the Ngāi Tahu freshwater group).
A Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu spokesperson said the rūnanga is "apolitical" and works with the government of the day.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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73% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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11% Yes!
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Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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