INCIVILITY IN LOCAL BODY GOVERNANCE
His Worship the Mayor is an elected representative who I believe doesn’t want to represent, he wants only to preside. Who’s only concerns, in my experience and opinion, centre around his Mayoral alter-ego and around cost cutting core services by stealth, he also probably wants to be NZs longest serving Mayor, perhaps a Knighthood, and probably doesn’t have a clue what he would do with his life if he was not Mayor of Upper Hutt.
I have learned that the majority of the Councillors, seem to think their job is to protect each other and the Mayor and not do their actual job which is to represent ratepayer interests and access to democracy by representing ratepayers to council.
None of them seem to be particularly interested in administering city services or engageing with ratepayers. We have uncivil governance in Upper Hutt by people who don't encourge public participation, oversight or sharing with the people who elect them to office and then pay their wages.
A modern healthy civilised community promotes literacy through public libraries, physical health and wellbeing through children’s play grounds, sports ground and parks, healthy mind through all of those pursuits and the Arts and other cultural activities.
We also live in an enlightened age, one where we have a moral and actual responsiblity for the waste we produce. Personal and corporate responsibility for safe, efficient, hygenic. Disposal and/or/recycling. These are also central and local governance issues that need to be solved immediately.
That said these services is what our rates for! They are a ratepayer funded service, not a commercial enterprise, that needs to proves a cost to benefit fiscal bottom line, or immediate outcomes, instead it is a longterm investment in the base health of our citzens, our city!
Local Government Act 2002
Public Act 2002 No 84
Date of assent 24 December 2002
2014 (2014 No 55).
Part 2
Purpose of local government, and role and powers of local
Authorities.
Poll: Have you ever had a scary flight?
A plane flying from Christchurch to Wellington on Sunday had smoke billowing out of the engine and upon landing, passengers had to open the emergency exit and jump out. Have you had any scary flying experiences?
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56.9% Yes!
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43.1% No, it's always been smooth flying
ALEXANDER ROAD SPEED LIMIT
Alexander Road in Trentham-Wallaceville of which 50% separates a golf course from a military encampment enclosure and the rest has mostly high fenced off industrial and residential areas on both sides, should have a 70km speed restriction.
Only a short time ago the road had a 80km restriction and was reduced to a pedestrian 50km much to the frustration of many. It has never been an accident prone stretch of road.
The several round-abouts ensure speed is reduced to 30-40km when these things occur.
I recently stayed a few days in Feilding - often given the title of the best town in NZ - and one of the lengthy main streets has a 70km speed restriction despite a predominance of unfenced residential properties on both sides.
LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
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