Working Group to Present Case For Better Local Government
Monday 6 August 2012, 12:53PM
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A group that wants to replace Northland’s four councils with two unitary authorities will begin presenting its case for better local government in the Far North to community leaders this month.
The Far North District Council and Taitokerau Iwi Leaders Forum formed a working group in April to develop a unitary authority initiative that responds to ‘Better Local Government Reforms’ proposed by the government and also advances Maori representation.
The Better Local Government in the Far North Working group presented its proposal to community board members and Far North District councillors last month.
The group, which is co-chaired by Mayor Wayne Brown and Te Taitokerau Iwi Leaders representative Rangitane Marsden, will outline its case to community leaders at a series of public meetings starting this month.
The Kerikeri Business Association and Vision Kerikeri will host a public meeting at the Kerikeri Golf Club on August 14 at 10am.
The Kaikohe Business Association will host a public meeting at the Far North District Council’s chambers in Kaikohe on the same day at 5:30pm.
The Russell Forum will host a public meeting at Russell Town Hall on August 21 at 7pm.
The Kawakawa Business Association will host a public meeting at the St John Hall in Kawakawa on September 4 at 6pm.
Te Hiku Community Board will host a public meeting at Mangonui Hall on September 6 at 7pm.
The Rawene Area Residents Association will host a meeting at Rawene Town Hall on September 20 at 5pm.
The Opononi and Omapere Ratepayers and Residents Association will host a public meeting at Opononi Hall on the same evening at 7:30pm.
Other groups that have expressed interest in hosting meetings, but have yet to confirm dates, are the Northland Chamber of Commerce, Kaitaia Business Association and Business Paihia.
The meetings are open to the public and the group encourages people to come and hear its ideas on how local government in the Far North could be improved.
Groups interested in hosting a meeting should email the Mayor’s executive assistant Lau’rell Pratt at Laurell.Pratt@fndc.govt.nz or phone her on 0800 920 029.