For Immediate Release 5 August 2010

Far North Super Enough

The Far North, unlike Auckland, is ‘super’ enough for the time being, according to mayoral candidate Sir John Goulter.

Sir John, who officially launched his campaign before a crowd of more than 100 at Haruru Falls last night, has said the unitary authority proposal pursued by the current Far North district council would not be a critical priority if he were elected mayor.

‘While I applaud efficiency in principle, I will always weigh its benefits against the cost of achieving it – in financial terms and in stakeholder impact, and on grounds of simple practicality. I get the feeling that the present council, had it done its homework, would have realised that the idea was unlikely to be endorsed by government while the jury is still out on Auckland,’ he said.

Minister for Local Government, Rodney Hide, has indicated he won’t consider the proposal until Auckland’s super city re©\organisation is bedded in, a process that some speculate could take 18 months or more. ‘Meanwhile,’ said Sir John, ‘the council has expended an enormous amount of time, energy and money on the proposal without any significant mandate from ratepayers and at the additional cost of strained relationships with important partners like Northland Regional Council ©\©\ while other priorities go begging.’

Sir John believes his personal and political connections in Wellington would enable him to apply an early and inexpensive ‘litmus test’ to any ideas for reform or improvement requiring constitutional support.

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