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Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
Public Water, Private Profits? Tauranga Vote On Waters Done Well Raises Alarm Bells Over Secrecy, Power, & Past Agendas
Tauranga, NZ - 3 August 2025 This Tuesday, Tauranga City Council will vote on whether to opt into the Government's new "Waters Done Well" water services reform framework, a deceptively simple decision with massive consequences for local democracy, public ownership, and the future cost of living for every Tauranga resident. While officials are pushing the proposal as a "streamlining" of services, watchdogs and local advocates say it's anything but. 'This isn't just pipes and pumps, this is about whether public control of water remains public at all,' said Erika Harvey, spokesperson for Lobby for Good. 'We've seen this play before, dress up centralisation as 'efficiency,' then open the door to corporate control behind closed doors.' A Legacy of Sell-Offs - Are We Repeating the Past? Todd McClay, Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, has denied any intent to privatise water. But scrutiny is growing over his links to one of New Zealand's most notorious sell-offs, the 1990s electricity sector privatisations overseen by his father, Roger McClay, under the National government. 'Let's not forget what happened when electricity was deregulated and handed to the market: prices soared, and public power was lost, literally and politically,' Harvey said. 'Now his son is overseeing a framework that removes water from councils, centralises decision-making, and could make it far easier to privatise later.' What's at Stake in Tuesday's Vote? Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council will vote on whether to opt in to the Government's new 'Waters Done Well' framework, a decision that will lock in the future of local water services for decades. This vote isn't just procedural. It decides whether our local drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure remains accountable to the communities who use and pay for it, or whether it's handed over to a new centralised entity with limited public oversight. Councils hand over key water assets to new centralised "service delivery organisations". Local accountability is diluted, with communities having little say over how water is managed Once transferred, these assets could be harder to return to public control Governance structures are vague, with key decisions potentially made by political appointees or private advisers Cr. Crowther's Warning: 'A Trojan Horse for Corporatisation' In a must-read Substack post this week, Councillor Glen Crowther called the proposal what it really is: "a Trojan Horse for corporatisation." He outlines how the new entities will operate more like commercial utilities than community services, despite still being technically owned by councils. Cr. Crowther also questions why the Government is rushing councils to opt-in without clear public consultation, funding guarantees, or transparent rules for asset control. His analysis echoes concerns already raised around the Marine Precinct, Durham Street, and other high-value local asset deals: the public is being shut out of decisions that will shape the city for generations. The Big Questions Tauranga Deserves Answers To As councillors prepare to cast their votes, Lobby for Good is demanding they publicly address: Why is this being rushed with so little public scrutiny? What protections will exist to stop privatisation by stealth in the future? Why are ratepayers being asked to give up control without guarantees on price, quality, or transparency? How will this governance structure avoid the same failings seen in past council-controlled organisations (CCOs)? And most importantly: who stands to profit, and who stands to lose? If this is the wrong decision, who is held accountable? 'This vote isn't just about water, it's about whether Tauranga is governed for the public good or private gain,' said Harvey. 'Once control is lost, it's near impossible to get back. We've learned that lesson the hard way. The question now is; will our council learn from it, or repeat it?' Call to Action Lobby for Good is urging Tauranga residents to contact their elected members, speak up before Tuesday's vote, and demand full transparency and public consultation before any irreversible decisions are made.
1News
5 hours ago
- 1News
PM wants NZ to get behind development, stem tide of Kiwis leaving for Oz
National leader Christopher Luxon has told his party's annual conference that the country needs to "say yes" more. Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch yesterday, Luxon bemoaned "activists" who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way." Opposition parties have heavily criticised the Government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse. "Take a look at Australia," he said. "If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch." ADVERTISEMENT Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses 550 delegates at the annual National Party conference in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Giles Dexter (Source: Luxon's speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15%. Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged "challenging" global conditions. "We can't just batten down the hatches and hope for the best," he said. Luxon's speech made no mention of National's coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word "coalition" itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the "energy" it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control. Instead, Luxon's speech was heavy on shout-outs to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced. "In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn't enough," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize." Echoing his speech at Monday's post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the Government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax. "We're doing what we can," he said. The speech contained an announcement that the Government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation (DOC) land. "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate. ADVERTISEMENT "Where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster - instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty," Luxon said. Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites, such as Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook, were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees. Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly. Speaking to media afterwards, Luxon said there was more to do 18 months into the term. Before the 2026 election, Luxon said he expected to be judged on rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, lowering the cost of living, and delivering better health and education. "Everyone's dealing with a really challenging global environment right now, but what we can do is control what we can control and that New Zealand has a plan. We can navigate some pretty choppy seas to get to the destination that we want to get to, but for that to happen, you've got to have the right people with the hands on the tiller, which is us." He committed to leading the party into the 2026 election and staying on another three years, if re-elected. ADVERTISEMENT While joking he wanted 100% of the vote, Luxon talked up National's relationship with ACT and New Zealand First. "I'm very proud of the fact that we've worked incredibly well with the three parties in a coalition in the way that we have," he said.
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Ex-National Party president Peter Goodfellow on what threatens 2026 re-election
'Desley, I love you very much,' Goodfellow said, his voice catching in his throat. His final message to the party faithful was his best wishes in the 'fight to win the party vote in 2026'. Former National Party board member Peter Goodfellow (right) speaks at the party's annual conference in Christchurch alongside current party president Sylvia Wood. Photo / Adam Pearse Despite a party vote target in the mid-40s, National hadn't registered above 40% since January last year and hadn't breached 35% since April across several opinion pollsters. It received 38% in the 2023 election. Speaking to the Herald on Sunday, Goodfellow praised National's work while in Government but said the party's chief threat to re-election was the economy. 'I think people have responded really well on education with Erica [Stanford], I think Simeon [Brown] is doing a fantastic job in health, but it's the economy. 'If the economy suffers another shock then I think that the public can get tired of it and want change. 'I'm not seeing that at the moment, but there's a potential for that to happen if there were another series of shocks or a trade war.' Just hours before Goodfellow's farewell, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed Trade Minister Todd McClay would shortly travel to the United States to discuss President Donald Trump's announcement of 15% tariffs on New Zealand goods, an action Luxon described as 'blunt'. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (front) speaks to media in Christchurch alongside Conservation Minister Tama Potaka (left) and Tourism Minister Louise Upston at the National conference. Photo / Adam Pearse The news was an unwelcome development for the Government, given the potential for further pain for exporters, which would slow any economic recovery. Recent polls affirmed the cost of living as the primary issue for voters, with the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor finding people trusted Labour more than National to lower prices. Goodfellow acknowledged New Zealanders were 'tired' of not seeing meaningful cost-of-living relief. 'My understanding is there'll continue to be relief for that middle New Zealand, but it's almost like they're saying it's not enough, it's almost never going to be enough.' A self-professed early adopter of the 'survive til 25' slogan used in 2024, Goodfellow argued economic growth hadn't been overestimated, but Trump's approach to trade had eroded confidence. 'The issue is, how do you get a bit of momentum and that confidence again?' Former Prime Minister Sir John Key (right) and Peter Goodfellow speak after the latter's selection as party president in 2009. Photo / NZPA Goodfellow stepped down as National president in 2022, but had previously voiced his original intention to resign in 2016. 'John Key and I did discuss at the beginning that we shouldn't leave together,' he said. 'I just thought, 'Well, I don't want to do this role for a huge, long time', but then we lost the election and then we had a period of some stability and coming into the 2020 election, the board wanted me to continue on as the president. 'Then we had a couple of leadership changes which just again meant they wanted that stability and continuity at the party and at the board level and I think that actually worked out pretty well.' Amid a disastrous result in the 2020 election, Goodfellow faced pressure over the party's candidate selection processes when the actions of several standing in 2020 hurt National's chances. He also endured a challenge for the party presidency from former Speaker of the House Sir David Carter, who in 2021 said he had 'zero confidence' in Goodfellow's ability to right the ship. Goodfellow described that period as a 'very unstable time for the party'. 'I never thought I would ever develop such a thick hide,' he said. 'There's a lot of criticism in the world and in politics, but not all of it is justified. 'I knew I was supported by the board and the decisions that we were making and that's why ultimately [Carter's] challenge didn't succeed.' However, Goodfellow acknowledged changes to the party's vetting proved some of the criticism was warranted. 'The vetting was very casual 20 years ago, maybe because people knew who the candidates were, but suddenly, more recently, we have people not known to the party coming in from the outside and we clearly did what we thought was good vetting, but there are some instances of behaviour that you can't pick up, no matter how good you're vetting. 'Many [candidates] are suitable ... but they don't necessarily understand what's going to be involved and what's going to be required. 'The challenge then is, are they telling you everything that's going on and increasingly, we have to be more diligent to make sure that our members are respected by not having candidates put up in front of them that aren't suitable.' Asked to describe his lasting legacy with National, Goodfellow pointed to the various special interest groups within the party and his mission to make the party more inclusive. Those groups included the party's younger and older members' wings, as well as collectives of members from Chinese, Indian, Filipino, rural, Māori and Pasifika communities. 'I know that there was no such inclusion before it, it was very much a traditional-looking party,' Goodfellow said. 'Within the party, it's good for us to have groups that represent that culture, but also share the values and the philosophy of the National Party and want to be engaged in it.' Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald's Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.
