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Hobson’s Pledge Trust
Hobson’s Pledge opposes the Three Waters plan released last week, in which all of New Zealand’s water services will be amalgamated into four super entities because it is intended that the proposed regional groups will be governed on a 50/50 basis between local authorities on the one hand and Maori tribal groups on the other. See Three waters shake-up
There will be four water entities: one encompassing Northland and Auckland, the second covering the centre of the North Island as well as Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, and the third taking in the east coast down to Wellington – this entity takes the top of the South Island too, specifically Nelson and Marlborough. The final entity covers the rest of the South Island.
The plan, which cites modelling that appears to promise savings for households, would transfer water assets from local authorities to the new entities, governed, as noted, on a 50/50 basis by local authorities on the one hand and tribal groups on the other.
There has been no mention of compensation for what will be in effect the confiscation of assets from the people who paid for them.
It looks like Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is facing an uphill battle managing to convince councils. The Whangarei District Council pulled out on June 29, a day before the announcement, and the mayor of Auckland has also expressed severe misgivings. See Mahuta not convincing
It doesn’t look like there is an opportunity for taxpayers to have a say on this.
Last year the Department of Internal Affairs consulted Maori groups only, following the He Puapua prescription mentioned above. The Joint Three Waters Steering Committee will continue to negotiate with local government, tribes, and industry professionals through this year. See Three waters reform
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