My Account
Kaipara District Council has become the second council in NZ to withdraw its membership from the Local Government NZ (LGNZ).
It agreed at a meeting last week to follow Auckland Council’s lead and the move will save Kaipara about $50,000 a year.
Mayor Jepson said he was very disappointed in LGNZ, particularly over the Three Waters debate where council had to wait for Communities for Local Democracy to pick up the baton.
“As I see it, they have become more of a mouthpiece for government than for local councils,” he said.
“Councillors have made a commitment to carry out their roles and they don’t need LGNZ sitting there telling them what to think. Sometimes to make change you have to break out.”
Opposing the decision, Cr Eryn Wilson-Collins said there were many facets to LGNZ’s role.
“We’ve dismissed their inward role – Kaipara is one of the smallest councils in the country and if we withdraw from LGNZ, it will disadvantage the district, elected members, staff and our resourcing,” she said. “The savings would have a very small impact on our rates but could cost us more money in services and products.
“It is short-sighted and will be isolating for us as elected members.”
Cr Rachael Williams said $48,000 was a lot of money and could be better spent somewhere in the community.
The decision was passed six votes to two.
Auckland Council withdrew from LGNZ earlier this year and several other councils are currently considering their membership.
