Ratepayers still not happy despite new management for troubled KDC

Councillors at Kaipara District Council have passed a resolution inviting Local Government Minister David Carter to appoint commissioners to govern the Kaipara district. 

The resolution was passed unanimously following a briefing from the Kaipara review team on a report to go to the minister last week. The team was appointed in June to consider the financial and governance challenges facing the council, and options for addressing them. 

“After a full briefing by the review team it is very clear that we have significant issues to resolve,” said mayor Neil Tiller. “We have been aware of a number of these for some time. I believe that independent commissioners will be better placed to resolve these issues and will be in a position to do it more quickly, and that is important.”

“We live in an awesome district and it is important that we face up to the issues before us so that we can move forward as a community.”

Mayor Tiller said the commissioners would be well supported by the Kaipara District Council chief executive Steve Ruru and his staff.  

Until commissioner appointments are made, the current councillors will remain in office and discharge their duties, including adopting the Long Term Plan as soon as that can be finalised. 

It is anticipated that commissioners will be in place by mid-September. 

Kaipara's debts total $80.7 million including about $60 million for the Mangawhai sewerage scheme, leading the council to propose a 31 per cent average rate increase, which had ratepayers up in arms.

Local Government Minister David Carter says with the range of problems the council has, appointing commissioners is the best option for the sake of the district.

Mike Sabin, MP for Northland has welcomed the decision to appoint commissioners to run the Kaipara District Council. 

“It is a decision that will bring some relief to the ratepayers of the Kaipara, in particular Mangawhai, as it is clear the Kaipara community had lost faith and confidence in their council,” said Mr Sabin. “The situation with the Kaipara District Council has been an incredibly challenging and frustrating one for the ratepayers of the district.”

Mr Sabin adds that it is clear there is a long way to go for the Kaipara district but says he will continue to do what he can to support his constituents along the way. 

Mangawhai Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Bruce Rogan is still skeptical about the decision to appoint a commissioner, saying without knowing who they are, or if they are getting the right information, that things may not necessarily be any better, and ratepayers may still not get the outcome they want. However, Mr Rogan is adamant something had to be done about the current council.

In latest developments, Mangawhai ratepayers are now calling for an independent forensic investigation into Kaipara District Council’s accounts, and also want justification for former KDC chief executive Jack McKercher’s $240, 000 severence payout when he quit.