Why the TPPA is a win-win for all New Zealanders

The signing of the TPPA (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement) has become more critical to New Zealand, as the meltdown in China’s economic fortunes highlights New Zealand’s need for diversity. This contrasts with the current situation where we are increasingly relying on our $20 billion of trade with China. This regional free trade deal is between 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which includes New Zealand, along with United States, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico and Canada. These countries account for over 40% of world trade, and you can be sure that this is likely to increase New Zealand’s trade by at least US$2 billion annually within the next ten years. This would equate to a 1% increase in New Zealand’s GDP. In short it is substantive.

The nay-sayers complain that the negotiations are secretive, but the reality is that all such trade negotiations are held in secret, but they do have to get ratified by our Parliament before the deal can become operational. The fear mongering by the Left is just plain nonsense. Trade negotiator Hon. Tim Groser will not be signing any agreement that doesn’t benefit New Zealand – of that you can be sure. And to worry that he would sign away New Zealand’s sovereignty is quite ridiculous.

Negotiations for the TPPA began in 2005 and were supposed to be concluded in 2012. This has been and extremely long and protracted negotiation, but hopefully we are almost there.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz

If Councils stick to “core business” and we can afford our amenities

Our Regional, District & City Councils all seem to think that they are responsible for the social wellbeing of our communities. This is a “nice to do” but is not a requirement, and is costing ratepayers hugely. It is time for our Councils to get back to their “core business”, and the 2010 Amendments to the Local Government Act 2002 lay this out clearly. The 2010 Amendment “encourages councils to focus on core services by requiring councils to have particular regard to the contribution to their communities of:

• network infrastructure;

• public transport services;

• solid waste collection and disposal;

• the avoidance and mitigation of natural hazards; and

• libraries, museums, reserves, recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.”

The 2002 Act (section 14) requires all councils to take a consistent approach to their activities, including:

• Conducting their business in a clear, transparent and democratically accountable way.

• Operating in an efficient and effective manner.

• Making themselves aware of and having regard to the views of all their communities.

• Taking a sustainable development approach (thinking about the social, economic and cultural interests of people and communities, the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment, and the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations).

Issues like social housing are not part of council’s core business (this is a Central Government issue), but improving our public amenities is. If our current councillors stuck to their mandate, then Tauranga City would have been able to afford its libraries, museums, reserves, recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure (as stated in the Act). I am one who believes that we have to build a substantive sports stadium close to downtown Tauranga. How do we afford it? That’s easy - we prioritise and don’t waste money on things outside Council’s mandate. Just as importantly, Council operates in an efficient and effective manner. Come on Tauranga - canvas your elected representatives to operate within their mandate, so that we can get the amenities that we so deserve.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz , or visit www.vond.co.nz

"Money Matters" - Yes BOPRC it sure does..

Regional Councillor Jane Nees, in her editorial last week, posed the question “Where do we find the funds?” saying that Local Government has a major funding problem. ANSWER: No it doesn’t. It just has to stick to its core business, and concentrate on effectiveness and efficiency. The trouble is that while Central government has forced government departments into zero cost budgeting, Local Government has continued on with its “cost plus” mentality – with no respect to the ratepayers that are paying the bills.

The Regional Council has increased its income from $76.9m in 2010 to $94.6m expected in 2015. That is a 23% increase in total income, with rates having risen 67% in that same period. This is plain outrageous, because while the Regional Council might be doing a good job on environmental protection, I certainly can’t see how this increase is justified. What is more, in their Long Term Plan, they expect income to increase to $110.1m by 2020/21, with rates increasing to $48.5m. That is an increase of 14.6% in total income, BUT a staggering 42% increase in rates collected. This is a Regional Council that is completely out of control.

We could blame the staff, but the truth is that this outrageous behaviour is sanctioned by our elected representatives on the Regional Council. They have no understanding of the “obligations of governance”. They sanction a CEO (and her Senior Leadership Team) who lead a Regional Council that is out of control – NOT out of funds. Our Regional Council is extremely wealthy, with close to $1.3 billion in investments and no net debt. Cr Jane Nees – your duty is to your shareholders (and that is us Ratepayers), so please do what you (and your fellow elected representatives) are paid for – stick to your knitting, and rein in this outrageous and unaffordable bureaucracy. Ratepayers have had enough!

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz