Amalgamation debate far from settled for Nelson and Tasman councillors
With the amalgamation debate rearing its head again, the mayors of Nelson and Tasman have been clear on their views – but they each only have a single vote. The Nelson Mail asked the rest of the councillors – do you support amalgamation?
Nelson-Tasman councillors are divided on the question of whether the region should amalgamate, a straw poll by the Nelson Mail has revealed.
The amalgamation debate has reignited after Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced that councils have three months to put forward proposals to amalgamate, or the Government will step in and do it for them.
The “Head Start” pathway gave councils three months to work with their neighbours to produce proposals that amalgamated councils into unitary authorities.
Proposals needed to come from two or more councils, and Cabinet would decide which to progress.
A report to a meeting of the Tasman District Council on Wednesday from chief executive Leonie Rae explained the process was mainly for regions where there was a regional council plus district or city councils.
“However, the policy document does state that two or more unitary authorities may submit a proposal.”
If councils did not put in a proposal, they could be subject to “back stop legislation” reorganising local government, and indications were that unitary authorities would not be subject to those arrangements, the report said.
“However, this is not guaranteed as the legislation has not been introduced.”
So, with the option to put in a proposal available, is that something there was an appetite for around the two council tables?
Nelson mayor Nick Smith had advocated for a single council, believing “town and country is better together”.
His Tasman counterpart Tim King was less convinced, favouring improved shared services and arguing that any such direction should come from the Government.
But, each mayor only had one vote — which begged the question, where did the rest of the councillors stand?
A straw poll by the Nelson Mail asked each councillor whether they supported amalgamation — yes, no or undecided.
The results yielded opposite results from each side of the political boundary.
In Nelson, seven councillors settled on yes, three on no, and two were undecided.
Meanwhile in Tasman, six said no, three said yes, and four said they were either undecided or didn’t give a firm answer. Mark Greening didn’t respond.
Of those who supported amalgamation, many put caveats to their response.
Nelson deputy mayor Pete Rainey gave a “qualified yes”.
Work needed to be done on what that would look like for the region, and to decide the best time to do it, he said.
“It would depend on what the model would be.”
Similarly, Nelson’s James Hodgson said it was a question of how it was achieved.
“The question is timing and making sure our community comes on the journey.”
Tasman’s Dave Woods gave conditional support for further amalgamation between the two districts, saying there were already areas of shared governance.
“It is inevitable that the process of amalgamation will continue as efficiencies of sharing resources are realised for the benefit of the ratepayers.”
The strongest opposition came from Tasman councillors, with many being completely against it.
“Amalgamation would reduce the direct representation of our local communities,” Jo Ellis said.
“Local issues get overlooked and there’s a weaker overall community voice.”
John Gully said he was “absolutely opposed” to amalgamation.
“I represent the Lakes/Murchison ward which is very rural, and our big issues are river management and roads, which are very different to those in town.”
The size of the Tasman region, and how to ensure adequate representation,was a consideration for many.
Nelson’s Tim Skinner said it would be a “very easy yes” if it was just Nelson and Richmond merging, but Tasman was much larger.
“You’d be watering down the effectiveness of good governance.”
In Tasman, Trindi Walker was not in favour but understood the benefits for the urban Nelson, Richmond area.
“However, (for) the rural sector, its representation is of concern.”
Tasman’s Celia Butler said rural areas like Golden Bay would risk being “dominated” by the urban centres.
“Proportionally, the very rural areas would be actually at a disadvantage.”
Nelson’s Kahu Paki Paki was undecided, but leaning towards yes, and said any model would need to account for the differing needs of the two areas.
“I’m definitely not opposed to having the conversation … I would hope that everyone is happy to engage with the conversation.”
For many councillors, timing was a key consideration, with many saying it was would happen eventually — but they didn’t see it as a priority.
Nelson’s Mel Courtney said he supported amalgamation — but not yet.
“In the future, but not while Tasman District Council is jointly, with others, grappling with $211 million in debt from the construction of the Waimea Dam — which I do support.”
Where they stand
Nelson city councillors
Yes: Pete Rainey, James Hodgson, Lisa Austin, Matty Anderson, Mel Courtney, Nigel Skeggs, Sarah Kerby
No: Campbell Rollo, Tim Skinner, Trudie Brand
Undecided: Kahu Paki Paki, Aaron Stallard
No response: Mel Courtney
Tasman district councillors
Yes: Kit Maling, Dave Woods, Mike Kininmonth
No: Celia Butler, Dean McNamara, Trindi Walker, Jo Ellis, John Gully, Mark Hume.
Undecided/no firm answer: Brent Maru, Kerryn Ferneyhough, Paul Te Poa Karoro Morgan, Timo Neubauer.
Opted out of responding: Mark Greening
You can read a full summary of councillors’ responses here.
By Katie Townshend and Andy Brew, Nelson Mail
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