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241 days ago

Council whitebait debt: ‘We’re not a benevolent society here’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Some of the West Coast's 650 whitebait stand holders owe the West Coast Regional Council for failing to pay their consent fees.

The matter came up as the council discussed its new policy to address non-rates aged receivable debt.

Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the combined whitebait debt more than three months old owed by standholders was unacceptable.

"We've got white-baiter debtors of $40,000-plus. I would have thought if you don't pay your licence, there is no licence.

"We're not a benevolent society here," Haddock said on March 5.

At the end of January, the council had $1.55 million in outstanding debt of more than 30 days old.

Of that, whitebait stand-holders collectively owed $44,076 of unpaid fees for 90 days or more.

This is despite whitebait stands on West Coast rivers being in hot demand and lucrative for holders in good years.

Individuals can in a good season earn tens of thousands of dollars from selling the delicacy.

Many stands have are held inter-generationally, with their right to keep it a recreational activity fiercely defended in recent years.

Council charges West Coast whitebait standholders an annual resource consent monitoring fee of $201.25.

The fees are usually invoiced in July each year.

Whitebait stand consent holders must also pay an annual administration charge of $115 for each individual whitebait stand consent file held.

Councillor Brett Cummings said whitebait and also gravel take debtors should have their privileges withheld.

"If they are not paying their gravel or whitebait fees, they should be removed."

Chief executive Darryl Lew said council was legally unable to withdraw a consent on the basis of non-payment.

However, acting consents and compliance manager Chris Barnes said it could for whitebait standholders.

Councillor Peter Ewen said the overall $1.55m debt currently owed to the council affected the financial bottom line.

He wanted to know the quantum of debt written off annually as an impact on the rates strike.

"All this reflects on our rates strike at the end of the year - our bottom line," he said.

Other overdue debtors, by more than three months at the end of January, included $91,846 for 'sundry debtors,' $133,856 for 'work order' debt, and overdue gravel compliance monitoring fees of $66,735.

Cummings said the debt backlog was unsettling.
"It's scary. You wouldn't run a business like this."

Councillor Frank Dooley said the council had to be highly active about debt collecting, although its new policy adopted in November had seen $100,887 recovered in one month.

Ewen said a significant problem for the council was payment for work funded by Government departments, which took time to flow through.

He said the 'aged debt' breakdown presented to the meeting should be itemised by sector so it was transparent who owed what.

"I would like to know what the Crown's outstanding debt is."

Lew said most of the Government agency payment debt was to do with the council's infrastructure programme via Kanoa.

Following negotiations recently it was now "proactively paying us ahead of time".

"We're not effectively bankrolling these things any more.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 63.9% Yes
    63.9% Complete
  • 33.6% No
    33.6% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1596 votes
18 hours ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

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23 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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