from Peter Williams of the Taxpayers’ Union
It’s official – our democracy under threat
This morning, the Government’s ‘Future of Local Government Review Panel’ – a group of handpicked ‘experts’ appointed by Nanaia Mahuta – released proposals that would fundamentally shift local councils from democratic institutions into unaccountable ‘co-governed’ fiefdoms.
I’m not going to mince my words here. Late last night, we were leaked a confidential copy of the report’s proposals – called ‘He mata whāriki he matawhānui’ – they include:
Transferring a laundry list of powers that currently fall before elected council directly to hapū/iwi and other Māori organisations;
Appointing unelected positions by mana whenua to be given equal status as elected members (including voting rights). But unlike the councillors, the mana whenua representatives cannot be removed at the ballot box;
Requiring council staff to conform with ‘te ao Māori values’ by law;
Funding of ‘Tiriti-based partnership in local governance’ (no matter the cost to ratepayers, apparently);
Removing the requirement for local referenda before changing the voting system (for the remaining councillors to be elected) by imposing STV across the country;
and Lowering the local voting age to 16.
You couldn’t make this up: the future of democracy is at stake.
In what is either an Orwellian misstep, or an attempt to gaslight you, Mahuta’s Panel literally claim that these recommendations are to “strengthen democracy”. Imposing co-governance does not increase democracy.
There is now no denying where Ardern, Mahuta and the government want to take New Zealand.
At our Three Waters Roadshow events across New Zealand, we were asked time and time again whether “Three Waters” was only the first step of a radical plan to impose co-governance over all of New Zealand. Today, the Report confirms that those fears were 100% justified.
With so much of the Mainstream Media now bought off, only the Taxpayers’ Union can fight this.
As a former broadcaster, I have seen the impact of the Taxpayers’ Union campaigns and I know you have too. The Stop Three Waters effort exposed what Nanaia Mahuta is trying to do. The Road Show tour. The 100,000+ petition. The hundreds of road signs. The TV ads. The record-breaking submission numbers. The recent election campaign effort that saw hundreds of councillors committed to Stopping Three Waters elected.
The Stop Three Waters campaign gave opposition MPs and people such as the new Auckland Mayor the confidence to come out swinging against this Government’s radical agenda. To stop these new proposals, we need to do that once again and make these proposals as unpopular as Three Waters. But we can only do this with your support.
12 months ago, no one knew much about Three Waters. But now it’s a thorn in the side of Jacinda Ardern. That wasn’t by chance. Our ability to expose and hold the Government to account – and ensure Kiwis know what is going on in Wellington – depends on the support from our supporters like you.
We have to stop this now; it will be very difficult for National to undo the damage.
We mustn’t forget the National Party are responsible for putting us on this path. It was John Key who allowed a river to become a person, and for huge swathes of the conservation estate to become ‘co-governed’.
In a democracy, we all need to be able hold decision makers to account through fair, free and frequent elections with equal suffrage. And when those spending our tax dollars get it wrong, we – the voters – must have the power to remove them. It’s really that simple.
By allowing unelected individuals or groups to make decisions in the council chamber, those in power are accountable to no one but themselves.
In order to protect our democracy, these plans must be stopped in their tracks.
For non-regular readers, this is a pretty good summary of Mahuta’s 3 waters plans:
Wonder how far New Zealanders will take all this before they say enough is enough.
Its all past good for me right now
This is breathtaking that they think this is not just ok but that there will not be a fight back by ratepayers and others
Thank you Peter. Apart from the 1789 “solution” we have Reversible Ballots. Which gives power back to the voters, without the requirement for elections, no fuss. Keeps MP’s honest, which is why they will not consider it. Would love to explain in more detail. Everybody wins.
Your comment is incomprehensible — perhaps you should write an article to explain?
The contents of the leaked report as revealed are consistent with a recent press release. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/477555/future-for-local-government-review-recommends-more-change
If we don’t stop the plan to lower the voting age to 16 (at both local and national level), ie to include brainwashed schoolkids , we’re doomed.
Exactly our thoughts — not that many of them vote though. Waikanae had the highest turnout this month because a high proportion of the population is elderly.
If you haven’t figured out by now that the real reason for low voter engagement is citizens have woken up to the fact that voting for people who then shit on you is a worthless societal habit, then you never will. The government & councils have turned themselves into our enemies. Sad but true. What the mainshit media will focus on is letting the wee kiddies join in the game. They know so much about life (and how to use a phone) that things will be alright!
Skepticism about politicians’ true intentions will be a major factor in voter abstentions, but apathy is the biggest one. It’s pretty clear from this message that Mahuta and the rest of her greedy elites inside and outside parliament are taking that as the signal to demolish local democracy completely and have all councils run autocratically by iwi elites.
Apathy:
“lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.”
There’s a difference between apathy and knowing the system is broken beyond repair!
The “woman” and her lot of “useless eaters” (the likes of “the maahootaa”, “poofter-grant”, “little andrew”, “hippy-hipkins”, and the rest of the sycophantic and brain-dead mob who make up the “liebour caucus”, need to be taken to task, tried and convicted, for crimes against humanity (you know, the covid hoax) – and for attempting to destroy the democratic process in our country, NEW ZEALAND.
Come on people of NEW ZEALAND – stand up and make your voices heard. It is evident that the opposition in parliament are mere bystanders to the “liebour” onslaught against our fundamental principles of democracy. We have to stand up to this tyranny.
Thank goodness for Peter Williams, and the Tax Payers’ Union. Time to expose the fraudsters of the “liebour government”.
I’m afraid Pete alone will not save us from the Superacists.
To Chris Walker, at least Peter is telling us what we need to know. It’s up to the rest of us to do something about it
does this mean they will put a lien on property assets? and we pay the loan? and the big fattys start soiling demselves?
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Your meeting that took place today (26.2.23) was for the sole purpose of hearing NATIONAL’ alternative plan to counteract Mahtu’s 3 Waters one, is that right? Who gave Mahuta the right to think up such a policy
and try to implement it in the first place.
Why doesn’t National.realise they do not have to make any changes at all but simply say
that Water Assets will be left in then.hands of Local Governments to upkeep and maintain the ratepayers’ asset
from rates paid, and any shortfall will be subsidised by Central Government !
Co-governance from start to finish is just another tool.and way to Disfranchise New Zealanders, deprive them of.their sovereignty, democracy and freedom of choice.
Luxon, leader of the National Party is no more to be trusted than the ARDERN/Mahuta combination with their Globalist ideology. He.told the media in his first interview with them “that he was the man to take National through the NEW RESET” That was his indication to those he serves, (not New Zealanders) that he wouldn’t let them down. That to my mind and the mind of many New Zealanders, is.,’Traitor Talk’.
and should be noted by all and kept in mind at the upcoming
Election 2023..
.