Rates Increase and more.

Chris from Kerikeri District

Kia Ora, I would lke to draw your attention to the article in Bay Chronicle July 17, page 3; in particular to the comments made by Jane Johnston.
Most people I know have also, like Rob Pink, said " what are we actually getting personally for our rates?"
Let me inform you that we are , indeed, getting "less bang for our bucks" Maybe you are quite content to pay out more than $55 per week and see nothing visible for your hard-earned money? Maybe you are quite happy with Council. Well good for you.
When I see that our new C.E.O is on a salary of " circa $300,000 per year" ( Council would not tell me the exact amount ) I then see why we have one reason why our rates are going up. This is a man with NO local government experience. Even after deductions this is a huge salary in one of the most socio-economically deprived areas in N.Z. A lot of people are struggling to exist on a low or minimum wage in the Far North and yet this man is on this huge salary. Can you begin to imagine how they must feel? It is disgraceful. (We urgently need a review of local government pay structures and awards.)
Apparently, he was appointed as a "head coach.' Can you believe that? Why is it that some Council staff need coaching anyway? Are they not experienced professionals; competent at their job? Are they that unmotivated that they need coaching? Surely this is part of John Carter's job? The mind boggles.
And as most people who have worked for local government know, the position of CEO means delegating a lot of one's work anyway; especially if you are 'learning on the job as you go and are busy coaching.'
Oh of course, the CEO's family is from the Hokianga and he is dedicated to working for the people of the Far North! How many times have we all heard this story?
At this point I should add that one of our local elected councillors has said to me: "I am personally disappointed with the progress – or lack thereof – of what is a vital inquiry into council procurement.(This relates mainly to the Ken Rintoul case). This is but one of a number of areas which I would like to see investigated to ensure that council staff have been following correct procedures. I stood for council on the basis of getting transparency around all council matters-and have continually been obstructed in my duties. Please let me know what further I can do-I have been active on a number of issues around the district and consider it is important that you keep voicing your concerns -to councillors directly , in the media ( like I am doing here) and on social media. "
I should say, that I replied but have had nor response as yet from this councillor. This seems par for the course these days: people don't like what you have to say so they ignore you or they are " too busy." Remember Volatire: " I may not like/agree with what you have to say but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Anyway, it is good that people like Jane Johnston speak out but , in reality, what can she or any of us actually do to stop council raising rates? Or anything else for that matter.
When we see that the Paihia and Kerikeri Ratepayers Association has, as was reported in the B.C, been largely ignored by Council re their input on the new Kerikeri Sewage plant, and that if they want to take it further they will have to go to the Auditor General , one has to wonder how much clout they have. Why is it that these groups have to spend so much time, money (man/woman hours) and hassle to go to the Auditor General anyway? Where is this so-called transparency, we keep hearing about by Council? By the way, does anyone really think the final costs of this scheme will be $21 million?
Furthermore, we have those poor people in Waimate North, again reported in the B.C, who have had this large shed ( It is out of place" ) plonked right on top of them in an area of outstanding National importance. Again, how did this happen? Why was it that the Heritage N.Z and Council people did not, it would appear, " Work Together " (Carter's maxim) so that Heritage N.Z new exactly what height and size et.c the shed was going to be before it was given consents.... ?
What all this boils down to, and I have personally asked Hon Winston Peters , our Northland M.P., to intervene,( no response on this, by the way) is to have an independent review of council procedures and practices ( in light of the Ken Rintoul and Waimate North cases) . and that does NOT involve any senior Council staff in any review. It must be totally independent. We should all be insisting on this. Peoples' faith and confidence in the council must be at an all time low.
And about 20%, yes 20% of your hard-earned money is going to councillors staff salaries-all 330 of them!
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
And as a local Kerikeri business woman said to me just recently: " Isn't JohnCarter well last his sell-by-date anyway?"
I am speaking for myself when I say that I have had it up to her with the inefficient and not transparent service this council is providing ( they seem to lack common sense on so many issues, it is unreal) .
I feel we all deserve much better from the people we elected . One only has to recall the likes of Dave Edmunds ( ex CEO of the FNDC); Mike Sabin; Wayne Brown ,e.t.c to know that haven't had a good deal.

And if you think I am the only one complaining, then you cannot have been reading back issues of the Bay Chronicle in which folks like Derek Ellis; Rod Brown and Rob Sintes (amongst many) have been very vocal on matters relating to Council procedures and practices.

What IS the solution? Let's ALL stop paying our rates (just joking!).