Last-ditch bid for change

BY MIKE BISHARA

Lobby groups wanting parts of northern Rodney to join the Kaipara district will present a united case to the government before the cause is lost when the final of three local governments acts creating the Auckland supercity is passed early next year.

Eight representatives met Local Government Minister Rodney Hide at the Wellsford Golf Club on December 2
in a bid to have the act amended under debate in parliament or by cabinet resolution.

They say Mr Hide was surprised the groups have about 4000 signatures on a petition and are confident they will be able to present to Parliament double that amount by February, more than half the eligible voters in the district.

There are 22,000 residents and 14,800 registered voters in the area which the government-appointed select committeee recommended should join with Kaipara rather than be a part of the proposed Auckland supercity.

The meeting followed a letter to Prime Minister and Helensville MP John Key, whose curt response was he expected his appointed government ministers to front up and sort the issue out.

Before the day was over Mr Hide’s office had confirmed the meeting in Wellsford.

Wellsford farmer John Turner, a member of the Wellsford group seeking a decision that at least the area north of the Dome Valley be moved to Kaipara, said the minister was clearly expecting a confrontational meeting and appeared relieved the discussion was reasonable.

Northern Action Group chairman Bill Townson says the private meeting was held in an informal but cordial manner, to which the minister expressed his appreciation.

"He listened carefully to our arguments, asked a number of questions, and answered many of ours – so dialogue was constructive and friendly," says Mr Townson.

His group is asking that the select committee recommendations be honoured.

The select committee wanted the northern boundary of Rodney to stop near Puhoi, but this was overturned following a hastily arranged meeting by Rodney MP Lockwood Smith with several hundred residents and business representatives in Matakana, who were vocal in their desire to stay within the jurisdiction of the proposed Auckland supercity.

The old boundary was restored before the formation of the supercity was put up for debate and passed under urgency in Parliament in September.

Te Hana Trust chairman Thomas de Thierry is a member of the Wellsford group but is looking for the current boundary, which divides his iwi between Kaipara and Rodney, to be moved to a boundary which follows more broadly the electoral perimeters.

He produced a huge map at the meeting showing where all the boundaries of the various authorities which run through the area meet and their marae membership.

The minister said the groups had a massive task ahead as any decision had now to be made in the Cabinet, which is National. Mr Hide is outside of Cabinet and leader of the Act Party.

He told the meeting that he would do whatever he could to help but they now would have to present their petitions to Parliament – and this would need Dr Smith and Northland MP and Associate Minister for Local Government John Carter to agree to accept the petitions on the steps of Parliament. Mr Hide also said it was important that they already had local Maori on side and that they get their timing right and present the petitions after Parliament reconvenes in February.

Such a process will ensure that it gets formally presented to Parliament and hopefully generate a debate resulting in an initiation of the amendment process the group is looking for, he said.

"This gives our two groups a little breathing space to pull out all the stops and get as many signatures as possible," says Mr Townson.

"We therefore urge anyone with a little time to spare to offer their help with canvassing. Even if you only cover your street or immediate neighbours it will help. Because of its popularity it is a very easy petition to canvas," Mr Townson says.

The Wellsford group was represented at the meeting by farmers John Turner, Gordon Levet and Colin Smith, with Te Hana Trust chairman Thomas de Thierry and chief executive Linda Clapham.

Warkworth representatives were action group chairman Bill Townson, Dennis Brown and Chris Thoroughgood.

If you can help or are a resident who wants to sign the petition call Bill Townson on (09) 425-6121, email nagww@clear.net.nz or visit www.nag.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News