Over the last decade or so I had some dealings with the Canterbury Regional Council which resulted in my developing a rather negative view of the organisation. Their role in local government appeared to be rather "messy," overlapping with that of the Christchurch City Council and creating "grey areas" which resulted in "buck passing," notably in the area of public transport provisions. In this and in the matter of dealing with water consents, I felt they needed to tidy up their act.

Before the Creech Report and subsequent "sacking" of ECan, the impression was that the processing of water consents was much improved overall, with the exception of a few major ones involving large scale extractions for big "corporate" interests who, nevertheless, actually have no more electoral voting rights than the rest of us when it comes to the election of representatives to local government bodies. Although they may deny it, these corporate interests set about and succeeded in having ECan dismissed via a review group stacked with their powerful political friends who have effected its replacement with a government appointed commission. At the same time they have also effected the suspension of the right of ordinary citizens to participate in the election of a new Regional Council for at least 3 years.

This type of action is not new. Democratically elected school Boards of Trustees have been replaced by commissioners etc quite frequently in the past 20 years. However, this is quite small scale stuff affecting only a few hundred specific parents, not the whole electorate of a large region as with the case of the removal of ECan.

There is no doubt in my mind that ECan has needed a shake up for a long time through a process of review and properly advised establishment of more effective operation. But the suspension of citizens rights to vote for a council to represent all their interests within the whole brief of local government at the whim of a frustrated but powerful minority group with vested interests in water is too much to swallow.

I feel that my democratic right to vote in regional government elections has been removed without consultation or consent. It was all achieved so easily by the present government that one wonders if they might just as easily be able to take away the franchise entirely if it was seen to be in the interests of powerful corporate groups. Let us hope that right thinking people will not let our hard won democratic rights be further undermined by a manipulative but generally incompetent central government.

Shocking to hear our rivers are even more under attack by 'development'. When will we realise that the health of our environment is intrinsically tied to our own health and well being? Do we want to look back in 20 years and say 'a river used to run here' or 'we used to be able to swim/fish in that river'?

We've got to stop this ongoing grab for resources to enable 'growth' which is in fact just short term profit taking, not medium or long term growth. A few people get rich, buy some fancy cars or a big house, the environment suffers and in the long run we are all worse off. Wake up people.

Carlin Archer www.MyGarden.co.nz

This is basically a coup, and is a disgusting abuse of power by the Mayor of Christchurch and the Nats. ECan may have ad it's faults but to suspend democracy for three years is appalling.

I guess now certain private interests now have a decent window of opportunity to privatise as much of OUR water as possible. I remember hearing a local federated farmers rep on the radio a few weeks ago say that every drop of fresh water that reached the sea was wasted. I guess this is the kind of mentality we are up against

Several comments above indicate a very limited understanding of the situation and of democracy. The Press Editorial sums it up very well. One good part of democracy is that when things go wrong, there is usually a mechanism to correct it - even with the horrors of Government processes. Having worked with Margaret Bazley some years ago, I know she is exceptionally capable - Canterbury is very lucky to have her as the new Commissioner. I can't think of anyone who would do a better job.

It more likely to passed special legislation without public submission as dangerous precedent as override our rights.

It supposedly world class democracy here should be honour.

WCO is stand for Water Conversation Order as noticed that would give Hurunui River application to be decided by the appointed commissioners on special legislation see www.parliament.nz then go to Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill

Bruce #1 the situation is absolutely dire down there. You think we should take the typical kiwi approach and not rock the boat just because we don't want to offend someone? Well if these guys were doing such a horrendous job with something as important as water then I don't see any problem with it. If the situation is so drastic then why not? We need to change our mindset here otherwise we will never be an economically successful country.

this is what ya get with MMP style politics.one grandiose individual reperesenting a miniscule party who in currying favour with the incumbent administration wields massive power.Hyde absolutely loves these situations and in all probability the writing was on the wall before the "screech'report surfaced. yep put robbitybob and his merry men on notice too ;some of their antics leave a lot to be desired. as for the death of local body democracy-simple ring your MP and tell em that before the next election they will need to provide you with evidence they have both spine and intestinal fortitude before they can garner your vote.

Extracts from a statement issued by National to the Bali Democracy Forum 10-11 December 2008 titled: Promoting democracy beyond New Zealand's shores.

Of particular interest, various statements that appear to be at serious odds with the decision by National to sack ECan councillors

New Zealand is proud to be an independent, democratic nation with a popularly elected parliament and a stable social and political environment.

A core principle for New Zealand is that governments are put in place to serve the population that elects them. Officials in New Zealand are described as "public servants", consistent with the notion that it is government's role to serve its people.

We believe a sense of ownership in the political process by every individual is a key to successful government, and to a peaceful, prosperous nation....

* Democratic institutions and processes must flow from the bottom up, rather than be imposed from the top down ie they must emerge out of the tradition, culture and structures which are unique to each country,

* Democracy works well when governments provide strong leadership to harness seemingly opposite perspectives to develop comprehensive solutions for the benefit of all,

Source: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=29140

Who would have suspected that when they voted for National (We will give you tax cuts but, oh dear they are now unaffordable) and ended up with a Government that can only govern because of the rag-tag nohopers it has aligned itself with that we would end up with a dictatorship? Read between the lines, taking away our right to vote for Ecan councillors is nothing but that, a dictatorship. This is not about being fair, it is about hydro generation and Brownlee's pathetic efforts to address the problem. It was he who pocketed over half a billion dollars of excess profits from the state owned companies and found it in the "too hard" basket to return it to consumers. We are still being way overcharged for power, Brownlee's pathetic attempt to increase competition by swapping assets around is just that, pathetic and the government now have control of a large chunk of our hydro generation. And this is only the start.......

I note that the Environmental Defence council has now come out against National's special powers and exemptions, to be passed under urgency, for the new commissioners.

This is local elites and big business getting big brother to stop ECan. They toppled Sir Kerry when he tried to make them pay even a portion of the costs they put on the rest of us.

National has made their agenda clear with the power grab in Auckland, and now here. Public assets are to be controlled by their buddies and the nusiance of democracy cast aside.

Write you MP and the PM. Vote out the crooks, local and national.