Four year terms supported by North Canterbury Mayors
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Four year terms could produce better outcomes, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon says.
Longer terms is one of the options proposed in the future of local government report presented last year by a panel led by former Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer.
Gordon said a longer term would allow councils and governments to implement change in a more considered manner.
‘‘It would give the opportunity for a government that wants to make change, which most governments do, to adequately consult and consider the options.’’
He was referring to the Three Waters reform and the proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act.
He wondered if the present government would have spent more time consulting on its reform agenda if it had an extra year.
A four year term would also allow more time for local councils to consider what was best for the community they served, he said.
Developing a long-term plan every four years, instead of three, would also give councils more time to consider the impacts of government policy changes.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she had been opposed to a four-year term, but had changed her view.
‘‘I do see the value in terms of getting some strategic goals completed.
‘‘Quite often you come in as a new mayor or councillor and it takes a year to settle in, so in your second year you might get a start on some of those projects, but then your third year is focused on re-election.
‘‘So a fourth year would give you a bit more time to achieve your goals.’’
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said there were more important issues such as the cost of living crisis, youth and retail crime and the lack of after hours medical care in North Canterbury.
‘‘I think it is the last thing on people’s minds.
‘‘I think part of the issue is we are focusing on ideological issues rather than the issues that matter.
‘‘It is not on my radar.’’
Waimakariri-based Labour List MP Dan Rosewarne said he backed a four year term for Parliament.
‘‘If I came in at the last election cycle, it might have taken a year to get myself established and then by the third year you’re into an election year.
‘‘So you don’t get a lot of time to get into it.
‘‘Four years would give you more time to make a difference.’’
He said if local government went to a four-year term it made sense to synchronise general elections and boards of trustees elections into four year terms.
Submissions on the future of local government report close on February 28.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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47.9% Yes
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50.2% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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