As the dust settles (for now) around the Gore council table, it would seem reasonable to at least discuss the conditions which brought about the debacle within that district council and (truth to tell), among most other councils throughout New Zealand.
Those to whom a measure of authority has been given should pause occasionally to reflect on whether our representative democracy is working as intended — which it isn’t. Even a casual glance at the process of local government should indicate a certain dysfunctionality of process.
A representative democracy is typically a grouping of people chosen by the wider public to act and speak on their behalf. Those extended the privilege of being an elected representative need to ensure that their personal views are open to change when the need arises.
That requires a process which not just allows for, but actually encourages a forum where rate and taxpayer opinion can be freely expressed.
At present the public voice and trust in councillors ends immediately after an election, so the question of why a long-standing trust or faith in local government appears to be lost must be asked and — most importantly — answered.
There is a review of local government occurring at this time, being conducted by none other than ... local government.
The reasons for the widespread disenchantment with local government (especially) are many and varied starting with the entry of party-political opinion into local government, and with that comes predetermination.
The 2002 Local Government Act amendments gave councils the power of general competence, which meant they were not constrained to the supply of basics such as water, roading, sewage facilities etc. It became very apparent to the perpetually aggrieved that capture of councils for populist causes just got a whole lot easier which in turn elevated the position of mayor to much more than a spokesperson of council.
The continuum of squabbles between councillors is a direct result of having to at least try to work with those of a completely political ideology who sit at the same table.
In central politics an elected person sits and works with those of a similar philosophy. In local government, many differing ideologies can be expressed and promoted by those with a limited understanding of complex issues. How many of our representatives have a good grasp of a balance sheets or in running large businesses? A fair question is whether the electorate would seek any financial advice from diverse but totally inexperienced councillors who govern the councils affairs.
People in both local and central government who espouse a singular special love of the environment tend not to like people very much or so it would seem, yet it is surely the wellbeing of communities that require the utmost attention. To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, all forms of government who rob Peter (rural) to pay Paul (urban) can always rely on the votes of Paul.
We now see the unintended consequence of that truism with a huge divide between urban and rural voters where the urban vote will always dominate. That outcome will see more protest and more distrust of authority.
Indeed, "the distrust of authority should be the first civic duty of the public," as one Norman Douglas once advised.
A fair question is also whether the very substantial payment of councillors has had an equal rise in competence.
It is however a sensible change from a time when mileage was the only compensation paid. Yes, councillors did tend to be grumpy old blokes back in the day but strangely there was little of the turmoil we see today, and things tended to get done.
Today the Mayor of Dunedin receives $166K and the mayor of Central Otago $122K. Councillors in Dunedin receive $71-90K with Central Otago councillors paid a starting salary of $34K. Add in remuneration for sitting on a hearing panel or chairing a committee and it’s not hard to see why being a councillor or mayor is attractive.
That is of course a generalisation but with a significant element of reality.
This situation would not really be a problem if there was a limit to the time a councillor could serve. Being a councillor or mayor should never be allowed to become an occupation.
Perhaps the biggest problem with politics and politicians is that too many would-be players don’t mind very much from which direction the economic winds blow the ship of state or even the local dinghy named "Monopoly" just so long as they are the ones with their hand on the tiller.
- Gerrard Eckhoff is a retired Central Otago farmer, a former Otago regional councillor and Act New Zealand MP.
