by Geoffrey Churchman

About 150 Kapiti Ratepayers attended this in the Ocean Road Community Hall yesterday afternoon. They were there to talk about the feeling of deep despair with the Kapiti Council’s constant massive increases in its Rates bills, this year 17.3% above last year, and what can be done to get the council to cut wasteful spending of which there are many examples — some are mentioned in the Official Information response reproduced below.

Apathy in dealing with this problem by the public has been the major obstacle in preventing it hitherto, but the widespread pain in the pocket now will hopefully prompt involvement.

There were 4 main speakers: Tanya of CALM in Kapiti, Dean of the Wellington group; Jackie Wheeler from Palmerston North and Cr Glen Cooper, the only Cr to attend and as mentioned previously he was one of 3 who voted against this year’s Rates increase. Bede Laracy and Johnny Best of the Raumati Community Board also had comments to make. No other CB members attended.

The Palmerston North group has had successes. Wellington City has been a problem in recent times because of dogmatic ideological attitudes of the Labour/Kakariki (Green) Councilors who dominate it and have insisted on, among other things, removing car parking and installing cycle lanes regardless of whether they are sensible (and most have not been).

A key point is that most of the people who work in local councils are Leftists who believe in ‘tax and spend’ as a matter of principle, and the infamous UN Agenda 2030 is something they are devout followers of. Closing small businesses by removing city parking is fundamental to that.

Most elected members in councils are also Leftists who have exactly the same attitudes as the staff. That hasn’t been the case in Waikanae so much, but certainly it’s a big problem districtwide in Kapiti.

Part of the answer is to elect Crs committed to cutting wasteful spending including the nice-to-have but non-essential vanity projects. This time next year, voting for the next council will be happening and good, right thinking (in both senses) candidates are needed.

Other topics were covered in the two hours. For some it was an information session on how councils work and how they are tied to central government laws, and what existing opportunities there are to tell the Council what you think of what they propose and do. WW editors play our part, but our reach is limited and an organized Ratepayers Association like this is much needed for coordinated action.

There is a seminar organized by the Wellington group happening on Saturday 19 October in Johnsonville. More about that shortly.

Here is the Kapiti Group’s Facebook page.

Comments:

Answers 1, 2 and 3: A fairly negative attitude can be detected here — we seem to be considered a pest for trying to hold the council to account, although we are not alone in that.

Answer 4: We think the amount allocated to adverts in Kapiti News is effectively financial persuasion of editor David Haxton not to indulge in any criticism of the Council.

Answer 5: An astounding total amount of $1,061,531 — Why? And why was the useless, costly Mr Power paid $200,657? A golden handshake to get rid of him?

Answer 6: Good grief — an unbelievable $10.7 million for a yard of new concrete and asphalt and two new bus stops with grassy roofs.

Answer 7: This is a complete waste of money and should be chopped.

Answer 8: The same as for (7). No-one will use this service as a tourist.

Answer 9: This does not produce value for money. Waikanae Watch probably promotes the Coast more than this does and we do it for free.

Answer 10: Another cost that should be chopped by quitting LGNZ. There is almost no benefit from being a member of this organisation.

Answer 11: Why buy electric cars that cost twice as much as conventional cars and have huge depreciation? How is that going to make any difference to ‘saving the planet’? I mentioned in 2021 that the council could collect used cooking oil from fish and chip shops and use that as fuel as London taxis do, and for almost nothing. It was ignored.