Councils coy on merger options
Taupō Mayor John Funnell
Community input is being sought as Taupō District Council and surrounding councils begin “rushed” conversations over possible arranged marriages.
By Dan Hutchinson
Central Government announced last month that councils have three months to work with neighbouring councils with a view to merging into larger councils.
Rotorua Lakes District Council mayor Tania Tapsell took to social media last week to ask her constituents which way they wanted to go – west to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty or south to Taupō and South Waikato.
She said they have been in talks with Taupō and South Waikato District Councils.
She says Rotorua and Taupō have “commonalities” in their economies such as forestry, geothermal energy, farming and tourism.
She was “a little bit hesitant” about going with larger councils like Tauranga City Council “but this is an opportunity for us to reset, not only the way we do things, but where we do things.”
However, Taupō District Mayor John Funnell is in no hurry to pick a preference, saying community input will be vital as councillors work to assess whether Taupō District Council should merge with another council or councils.
“We’re aware that other councils and community leaders have named Taupō District in their communications, but I want to reiterate that all options remain on the table for us.
“First and foremost, we want to hear from our communities on what is important to them. That will help as we decide which options we want to pursue and which other councils we want to enter into discussions with.”
The council is running a survey to gauge the community’s view on local government reform and Funnell encouraged everybody to have their say.
Rotorua Lakes Mayor Tania Tapsell
The council has also been engaging with iwi and hapū groups, with community engagement events around the district beginning this week.
“This is a huge reform – the biggest in the sector for 37 years – and the rushed timeframe is going to make it incredibly difficult.
“Nonetheless, my fellow councillors and I will be putting the best interests of the Taupō District and its people at the forefront of our thinking as we work through this.”
The engagement events and community survey can be found at www.taupo.govt.nz/ourfuture.