A Resolution to formally progress discussion of the Opiki and Tokomaru boundary change proposal was heard at the Palmerston North City Council public meeting on Monday, 24 September 2018. The Tokopiki Boundary Change Group, initiators of the proposal on behalf of Opiki and Tokomaru residents who support the change, were therefore delighted with the 16-0 clean sweep by PNCC mayor Grant Smith and 15 councillors in their unanimous vote in favour of the Resolution. As a result, on 25 September 2018 PNCC’s deputy chief executive Ray Swadel formally advised the Local Government Commission and the Opiki-Tokomaru community group “that the Palmerston North City Council is happy for a boundary change discussion to continue, suitable to Palmerston North City Council conditions.” Overwhelming support for the proposal has been received from the “Affected Area,” Opiki and Tokomaru, with more signatures adding to the significate number already collected. A formal Application for consideration by the Local Government Commission is under way.

But not everyone is happy, according to Horowhenua District Council Miranui Ward councillor Ross Campbell. Their chief executive and councillors are less than pleased, claiming:

1. They were allegedly unaware of an amalgamation proposal from Opiki and Tokomaru, in spite of flyers, promotions, widely publicised and well attended public meetings, mainstream media attention and the HDC’s own meeting for discussion at the beginning of August in Levin.
2. Advice to Council that an amalgamation proposal and Application would be too difficult to achieve, one way or another, and predictably would fail through lack of interest.
3. When they finally acknowledged the Tokopiki Group amalgamation bid after receiving the formal PNCC Resolution, the CE and some councillors laid the blame squarely, albeit wrongly, on mayor Michael Feyen.

In cr Campbell’s view, it isn’t just a question of Opiki and Tokomaru falling off the (HDC) radar; “there was no radar,” he says. The Miranui Ward representative says the two northern settlements’ constant poor access to amenities and services is historic. He believes the blame lies with former mayor Brendan Duffy who was responsible, then and now, with current HDC management and councillors for their reluctance to spend money in areas with fewer votes. As a result, HDC has always favoured spending the bulk of ratepayer funding on expensive projects in population-laden Levin and Foxton, as frequently seen in successive Long Term Plans, but have ignored Opiki and Tokomaru now to their cost, he says. In fact, a meeting on 20 August at Tokomaru heard that the 20-year LTP had nothing in it for Opiki and Tokomaru, and there is still no sign of the Works Plan requested of the CE and HDC officials present. “In my mind, it can only mean there isn’t one,” says Tokopiki Group member Ken Anderson, who attended the meeting.

“Whether the Horowhenua District can continue to operate without Opiki and Tokomaru rates and numbers is not our concern or responsibility,” says Tokopiki member Arthur Toms. But he believes the loss of the sparsely populated two small northern settlements’ rates take, although large per capita, will still not be a big enough dent in the budget to prevent Council and management from carrying out its duties and responsibilities to the District.

Cr Campbell continues to repeat his assurances that he won’t stand for re-election in the 2019 Local Government elections. Meantime, the final July 2017 HDC Representation Review confirms the continued existence of the Miranui Ward for at least the next two Council terms.

“It may be of interest that the threshold of people per elected representative is currently not reached with either the Kere Kere or Miranui Wards. Bearing in mind potentially reduced numbers without Opiki and Tokomaru, the present applications for dispensation could further apply to the Miranui Ward to retain its own elected representative next term,” Mr Toms says. “It would make sense to allow the remaining Shannon-south area of the Miranui Ward to continue with its own councillor, whoever that might be,” says Mr Toms.

He adds that the Tokopiki Group’s amalgamation Application may be a wake-up call to the Horowhenua District Council to improve its management and relationships with the rest of the District.

“Opiki and Tokomaru may now have an opportunity to join Palmerston North City Council where they’ve had an established Community of Interest for a very long time. But we’d like to think we’ve helped the remaining majority of Horowhenua District’s ratepayers in getting them a fairer deal as a result of public attention generated by our boundary change proposal, regionally and nationwide. It’s not all about votes; it’s about good governance, equality and that Community of Interest we all value, wherever we live.”

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