The battle for the Local Govt NZ Presidency
May 16th, 2008 at 12:28 pm by David FarrarTwo Mayors are standing for the presidency of Local Government NZ. Lawrence Yule from Hastings and Wellington’s Kerry Prendergast.
I have the privilege of knowing both contenders, so can say I think it is excellent they whatever the decision, Local Government NZ will be well served.
I’ve known Kerry (and Rex) for a long time, as you would expect in the small city that is Wellington. Lawrence I have got to know through a mutual friend and he is a very nice guy.
Nominations are open until 31 May, so there may be other contenders. It’s a pretty high profile and influential position so will be interesting to see how it goes.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
As a councillor in a small rural based authority can I say that the present chair of LGNZ Basil Morrison,ex-mayor of the Coromandel, has done a great job for both rural and urban authorities.
Vote:He took over when LGNZ was on the ropes with the Louise Rosson/Carol Stigley skirmish also with the Labour govt sticking its nose in a bit. Things were very bad, special meetings of the LGNZ zones. Basil took us through it. Basil is also Chairman of the Commonwealth Local Government group.A great guy who is really approachable. Thanks Basil !
I have met Kerry but not Mr Yule. If Kerry wins I hope she doesn’t just identify with the metropolitan authorities but with the smaller authorities which have different problems to the likes of Wellington- excessive infrastructure through depopulation,especially roading. With a growing dairy industry putting pressure on roads but not having the population to get the necessary subsidies from Transit, this occupies councils like the one I sit upon.
May 16th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Come on THE BAY!!!!
We are continually poorly treated by The Hurricanes – no games, very good players not selected or not played when selected.
It is time for a win.
Vote:May 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Not everyone is so confident that the presidency of the LGA is “high profile and influential” David. From the mouth (well, press release) of Michael Laws:
“ Frankly, LGNZ is a waste of time and our money,” said Mayor Laws today.
“ Their national conferences are expensive pap, their services ineffectual and ineffective, and their political lobbying has landed us with around $1.5 million per annum of increased government charges and responsibilities.
“ In addition, they decided to publicly contest legal advice that we had received on a by-election last year, only to be proven wholly wrong.”
Mayor Laws said that he had discussed the issue with Mayor Wayne Brown of the Far North district council “and our experience is that we are better lobbyists for our region than this local government bureaucracy.”
“ When I was an MP, it was my experience that central government did not take local government seriously. Certainly not collective local government lobbying. I don’t think too much has changed.”
Oh dear he IS a charming creature, isn’t he?
Vote:May 16th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I don’t think Michael Laws and Wayne Brown are great examples of the mainstream LGA. Both of them appear to be on a personal crusade for themselves.
Vote:People in the public should realise that having a high profile does not necessarily mean a sign of competence and good governance.
Remember, mayors are only the chairman of the council. How that council operates and the district performs is a far better indicator than the number of press releases or self endorsaements.
LGNZ helps protect smaller councils from being lost in the maelstrom of affairs. One small council can do very little, a number in unison can achieve something.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Neil says:
You clearly don’t vote in Wanganui, then
More self-aggrandisement from the man who went to Celebrity Treasure Island and came back with hives, went Dancing With the Stars and broke his toe, and holds the singular distinction of being one of the only people whose behaviour caused him to have to resign from that exemplar of low standards of truth and integrity, the NZ Parliament.
With that record of inneffective, ineffectual pap, I’d have my money on the LGA.
Vote: