A ludicrous dozen

Waikato’s Chamber of Commerce has renewed its call for local body amalgamations and suggested Waitomo and Ōtorohanga district councils should be the first ones off the block.

It is no secret that Waitomo mayor John Robertson is a fan of merging with the council’s northern neighbour, but outgoing Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter is not.

Waikato chamber chief executive Don Good told The News having 12 councils in the Waikato region for 536,000 people – which includes King Country and Waikato Regional Council – is “ludicrous”.

Amalgamation should be dominating election debates this year, he said.

“The duplication is immense. The inefficiency that causes costs ratepayers. Ratepayers are voters, and ratepayers are not happy with 15 per cent rate increases,” he said.

Robertson, who has experience in amalgamation talks when he was a commissioner in Northland, is on record as saying Waitomo and Ōtorohanga are two councils of comparable size and population.

Savings would come from having procurement savings, fewer councillors, one district and one long term plan.

Good has even floated the idea of a ‘mega’ southern council of South Waikato, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga as a first step and a natural geographic fit.

A decade ago, an amalgamation between Waipā, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga was floated by the Property Council of New Zealand.

Sources told The News Ōtorohanga would favour a merger with Waipā over one with Waitomo.

“Downsizing of council staff is one solution but should have been done years ago,” said Good. 

“Sharing tasks among the councils is another that could work to reduce costs, but not complete centralisation.

“That seldom works, and invariably reduces democracy,” he said.

Poisonous parochialism would be the undoing of any amalgamation plan, Good said as would councillors and council staff who protect their patch at the expense of ratepayers.

“Many have developed cosy, comfortable, monopolistic attitudes and relationships.”

What do you think? Email us editor@goodlocal.nz