Bill Dalton

I want to make my position on local body amalgamation in Hawke’s Bay very clear.

I believe amalgamation is inevitable and when it happens it will be positive for Hawke’s Bay as a region.  What I am against is politicians trying to promote a shotgun marriage to suit their own political agendas.

Simply put, a rushed, poorly thought out forcing together of the various authorities will be an expensive disaster for the region whereas a merger at an appropriate time and with the appropriate preparation will be cost effective and positive for the region.

There has been huge progress made in bringing the councils together although, of course, there is much more to be done.  We need to align all regulations and rules.  We need to align contract and tender dates.  For instance the Napier City Council has just let their kerbside rubbish collection contract for a shorter period then normal so that it comes up for renewal at the same time as does the Hastings’ contract.  There are so many positive initiatives under way, it would be a shame to see them disrupted by political agendas requiring indecent haste.

My very good mate, ex Hastings District councillor Mike Donnelly has accused me of having a “protecting the patch” mentality.  I do – I am happy to admit it.  The patch I am working to protect is Hawke’s Bay but let me make it very clear:  I am paid by Napier ratepayers and I will be making sure Napier interests are protected in the lead-up to and during the inevitable merger.  As a proud product of Hawke’s Bay I have the interests of the region at heart.  As a Napier City Councillor I have a responsibility to ensure my ratepayer’s interests are protected.

There is an enormous amount of work to be done to produce a financial plan that ensures that any amalgamation is equitable.  We need to look at debt levels, future commitments, infrastructure financing, the list goes on.

A large number of Napier residents believe the establishment of a unitary authority makes sense as I do.  But I am sure they would all agree that the amalgamation process must be a fair and equitable one and be done in an appropriate and sensible time frame.

Personal political ambition has no place in this process.

Hastings District Council Mayor Lawrence Yule has certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons with his announcement that he is seeking a fourth term as Mayor, on a platform of establishing a unitary authority for Hawkes Bay.

And you have to wonder what his motives are – making the announcement 14 or 15 months ahead of the next election. Sure, from a political perspective he has seized the initiative from HB Regional Council Chairman, Alan Dick, who clearly sees the Mayoralty of Hawkes Bay as his as of right. And what of Mayor Barbara – does she see herself as “Queen Bee” in this new hive of political activity?

I can’t help but wonder if Mayor Yule, who is also President of Local Body New Zealand, might be the leg man for his new found friends in Wellington led by Rodney Hide. I wonder if Mayor Yule’s proposal of amalgamation is any part of a deal to secure funding for pet projects. Whatever the case, I am sure that little Rodney will be dancing with delight at the announcement.

I am still not convinced that full amalgamation is the right thing right now. In recent times there has been a concerted effort at political and officer level, amongst all the councils, to work co-operatively. Hastings District Councillor Wayne Bradshaw and I have been campaigning for even greater co-operation between our two councils and this is really gathering momentum. Why then, do we need to rush in to amalgamation? Aren’t we better to continue the process that is already under way – to progress matters in an evolutionary manner rather than stage a revolution.

Auckland is the first victim of Rodney’s revolution and clearly there will be all sorts of mistakes made and lessons to be learned. Why don’t we make haste slowly and give ourselves time to learn from Auckland’s experience.

Mayor Yule suggests there are enormous savings to be made as a result of amalgamation but, all current buildings will be utilized, staff members are going to be protected and we will have more elected representatives. All I can say is – the ball is in your court Lawrence.

You have made the call – now you need to convince us all that your plan will be beneficial to all ratepayers in Hawkes Bay.

For some strange reason, I have started getting emails from the office of Sir Roger Douglas and one offered me a free book. Something for nothing seemed too good to miss so I replied, requesting a copy.

Now despite the fact that I have often disagreed with his politics, Roger Douglas is a politician I admire. He is a politician who has the courage of his convictions, the guts to stand up for what he believes in, the guts to stand up and be counted. He is always prepared to state his case and then argue the points with those of a different view.

And isn’t that a very important part of a politicians role. Shouldn’t politicians whether they be central government or local body politicians, be out in the community expressing views, encouraging debate on important issues leading public opinion. It seems to me that too many politicians are not prepared to express opinions, to state their position on important matters strongly, in case they alienate a few voters. They seem to take the view that if they don’t state where they stand on an issue then no-one can disagree with them.

I suppose in the fickle world of politics that makes a bit of sense. Keep your head down, don’t say anything that anyone can disagree with, be seen at all the right places, tell everyone you are passionate about your electorate or city – politicians love that word passionate – and you will be in for another 3 years.

Well frankly – that is simply not my style.

I will always state my view on matters that are important and fully expect there will be those who disagree with me. Then the matter can be openly debated which is of course not only positive, but healthy for society.

In his time as finance minister, Roger Douglas completely restructured the New Zealand economy and at the time, came under enormous criticism. Subsequently we have had both right and left wing governments and neither has reverted to the old system. That would suggest to me that Roger Douglas got it fairly right.

And if he hadn’t had the guts to make that stand, to take the criticism on the chin, to do what he believed was right for the country, then New Zealand would have been the loser.

Politicians should express their views and be prepared to debate them.

This week marks the opening of the fund raising campaign for our new Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery.  This is a truly regional project and deserves support from everyone.

Of course any project of this size – it will cost between 15 and 18 million dollars – has its critics.  I am regularly being told the following:-

It doesn’t need to be done.

It will cost too much – we can’t afford it.

Now is the wrong time – we are in recession.

The Art Gallery and Museum will never make a profit.

We shouldn’t lose the old Borough Chambers.

Well let me deal with that one first.  The old Borough Chambers are an eyesore.  The original wooden building was so rotten decades ago that they plastered the outside.  It is only the plaster that is holding it up.  The inside has been stripped out – the building bears no resemblance to the original and needs to be demolished.

The rebuilding and refurbishment of the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery does need to be undertaken – the current buildings are ugly and inadequate.  We have a world class collection – in particular of Maori artefacts, and it deserves to be housed and displayed adequately.

To those who say we can’t afford it I say this:

The project will be financed from three sources.

One third of the funding will come from the Napier City Council and these funds have been provisioned for years.  One third will come from Government and one third from corporate trusts, Lotto, etc. and of course your generous donations.

The bulk of the funding will come from outside the district and be a shot in the arm for the local economy. 

And now is the right time to undertake the project.  We will get keen pricing and we will certainly benefit from the jobs created.

Some argue that the Museum will never make a profit and of course they are right.  To them I simply say that you and I have a responsibility to preserve and protect our heritage, our culture and our art for future generations.  And that costs money.

So it’s a great project – will add enormously to the art and culture scene in Hawke’s Bay and I am happy to accept any donations you may wish to make to the project.