‘Bent over backwards’: New Eastern Waikato bloc says government should accept merger
Three Waikato district councils have proposed a merger into a single unitary authority, claiming they have met all government requirements for amalgamation. Mayors involved expressed skepticism about the efficiency gains but are pushing forward to maintain local community representation.
Why it matters
The proposal reflects broader debates regarding local government reform, efficiency, and the balance of power between regional councils and central government.
The councils in a potential Waikato eastern bloc say they have "bent over backwards" to tick the government's boxes for amalgamation.
The three councils involved have all agreed to the proposal, and their mayors reckon Wellington won't need to make any changes.
The proposal would turn Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils into a single unitary authority dubbed Waihou-Piako-Coromandel Unitary Authority.
Wellington should listen according to Matamata-Piako district council mayor Ash Tanner, who says local councils have "bent over backwards" and "pandered" to the government over the past three months.
"We represent our communities. We don't represent the bureaucrats in Wellington.
"I haven't seen any proof amalgamation is better for rates, cheaper on rates or more efficient so I'm quite sceptical about that but our focus is to make it work."
Thames-Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell has "no sense" of what the Beehive will do with the proposal from here.
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