Latest news with #DougLeeder
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Minister Shane Jones accuses council of being 'iwi back office'
The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones wants politicians to ask ratepayers if regional councils are value for money. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER The Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones says problems in regional councils are "hobbling" economic progress. Last week, Jones told a forum New Zealand First did not see a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist after changes to the Resource Management Act came into effect. However, Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder says scrapping regional councils is not in the interest of the wider community or the environment He was reacting after Jones told Morning Report regional councils such as Otago and Waikato were standing in the way of mining and marine farming permits. "In 2012 the Waikato Regional Council itself made a submission to the Productivity Commission and it identified that co-ordination and a host of other problems was actually hobbling its ability to contribute towards productivity. "If we don't have mining, if we don't have marine farming then a lot of the regional areas of New Zealand they're going to be blighted," Jones said. The councils represented a small part of a case for a "broader rationalisation" which he intended to put before his party in the lead up to next election. "New Zealand politicians should ask the public: Do they feel that the current system, is it generating ratepayer value? Is it actually delivering economic growth at a time where the narrative we have - as a government - is to boost economic growth, to generate the surplus so we can afford the services that we take for granted," Jones said. The influence of iwi and the creeping scope of co-governance initiatives had extended beyond initial intent. "I'm deeply concerned that the Waikato Regional council is turning into some sort of iwi back office. "I think that there's a host of other challenges though where [council] staff are hobbling economic development such as an unwillingness to support mining in Otago where they've dredged up some dead moth," Jones said. Minister for Resource Management Act Reform Chris Bishop said the changes the government was making will look at the functions and responsibilities of regional councils. Bishop said the reform process has implications for regional councils, as they do a range of things such as public transport, natural hazard management, and environmental monitoring and planning. He said Jones was giving his party view but he could understand his frustration with regional councils. Doug Leeder Photo: NZME Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder says passing off regional council's responsibilities onto another agency will not alter the challenges associated with their functions. Councils gained a raft of important responsibilities from regional catchment boards in the late eighties. "They include really important functions such as the stewardship of land, water and air, therefore the environmental issues. There's rivers, drainage, flood protection schemes, you've got public transport delivery, emergency management functions, regional planning functions, bio-security, bio-diversity as a starter. "So when we understand those and we understand how they are best delivered then that's the start of the conversation rather than the unilateral just getting rid of councils," Leeder said. Councils were open to discussions on streamlining those functions if the tasks were underpinned by good, solid governance. "Let's be upfront, some of the consenting processes across the country in terms of the RMA [Resoruce Management Act} and getting infrastructure and delivery of services are really complex, they are really expensive and they need review. The regional sector of Local Government New Zealand has been advocating for this for a significant period of time," Leeder said. Scrapping regional councils and their associated functions was not in the interest of the wider community or the environment, he told Morning Report . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Core Service Delivery The Focus Of Bay Of Plenty Regional Council's Annual Plan 2025/26
Key points: 3% increase (including inflation) to general rates (reduced from a forecasted 8.2%). A 2% reduction in the combined total targeted rates (reduced from a forecasted 6.3% increase). Increases and decreases will vary between targeted rate types. $48m dividend from Quayside Holdings, Regional Council's investment arm, reducing rates by an average of $400 per household. Estimated average annual increase per ratepayer of $11 (including GST). Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council has achieved a more moderate rates increase than projected for its Annual Plan 2025/26 through reviewing budgets, considering affordability concerns and adapting to changing economic conditions. The Annual Plan 2025/26, which was adopted yesterday [ SUBS: Tuesday June 24 ], sees a $7.3 million reduction across the budgets, resulting in a 3% general rate increase for ratepayers. The budgets for year two (2025/26) of the Regional Council's Long Term Plan 2024-34 were anticipating an 8.2% increase to general rates and a 6.3% increase to targeted rates. However, with a changing economic climate and shifting direction from Central Government, Regional Council recognised the need to address rates affordability, while still delivering on the essential services required by local communities. Chair Doug Leeder says the focus is to deliver the work programme set with the community through the Long Term Plan 2024-34 in a fiscally responsible way. 'In the current environment, the challenge for councils is to achieve a balance between affordability and continuing to deliver the levels of service agreed upon with our ratepayers. 'We believe that this Annual Plan strikes the right balance between managing debt, keeping rates affordable and continuing to sensibly manage our infrastructure, while delivering the levels of service that the community expect from us.' Through the Annual Plan 2025/26, an operating expenditure of $195 million has been set to ensure continued investment into the Regional Council's core services. This includes: Public transport planning and operations through the bus network Restoration and enhancement of the region's natural resources through land management, biosecurity, climate change adaptation, and freshwater monitoring and management Flood resilience and natural hazards risk management Regulatory compliance and resource consenting. Chair Leeder says while the operating environment is dynamic and ever-changing, the Regional Council remains committed to its critical work that benefits local communities. 'Many of the decisions we make now are for today, tomorrow and beyond. The focus of this annual plan is to deliver both immediate and future benefits, ensuring that our services are provided in the most efficient manner possible.' The Annual Plan 2025/26 was developed through a series of councillor workshops over the past six months with no formal community consultation held. Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to consult on the Annual Plan only if there are significant or material differences from the Long Term Plan (according to our Significance and Engagement Policy). While cost savings have been identified, the Annual Plan remains consistent with the overall financial and strategic direction set out in the Long Term Plan 2024-34, so consultation was not required. Some of the key savings identified for this year's Annual Plan 2025/26 include: Public transport: $3.87 million. The government announced a reduced level of funding subsidy from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for public transport services, leading to a review and reduction of the public transport programme. Freshwater: $370,000. Delays in planned work following changes to the Resource Management Act in October 2024. Regional Council will continue this work when a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is released. Flood Protection and Control: $280,000. Funding from Central Government (Beyond the Deluge) has reduced interest and loan costs for flood protection and control assets (such as stopbanks and floodwalls). Rotorua Catchments: $800,000 moved to 2026/27 financial year. The funding for the Ohau Wall has been aligned to the timing of the work. This means total funding for the project ($1.6m) is spread over 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years with $800,000 in each year. Corporate: $627,000. Cost savings through better financial management, reducing interest costs and refining IT systems. The budgets in the Annual Plan 2025/26 are used as the basis for setting rates (general and targeted).
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Role Of Council On Agenda At Candidate Information Webinar
The roles, responsibilities and regulations of regional council are on the agenda next week, as people thinking about standing in the upcoming local body elections are invited to attend Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Candidate Information Webinar. The webinar is being held on Wednesday 18 June at 6pm and will cover off everything a prospective candidate may need to know – from what it means to stand, to what rules surround the campaign period and (most importantly) what it means to be a regional councillor. Outgoing Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder, who recently announced that he will not be standing for re-election, says attending the webinar is a no-brainer for anyone who has currently been sitting on the fence about putting their name forward. 'Regional Government is hugely important at this time, when there is so much happening in the sector,' he says. 'With Resource Management Act reforms, Local Government Reforms, Local Water Done Well in train and huge pressure to keep rates affordable, we need strong candidates to stand for Regional Council, it's important for candidates to know the role of regional councils and how they might contribute.' He says from public transport to environmental compliance to flood protection and emergency management, the regional council's work is critical for the economy, the environment and the community and now's the perfect time for people to start asking questions, if they're looking to get their nomination in next month. 'For the Regional Council to truly reflect those it represents, we need a cross section of people to put their names forward. Don't be afraid of what you do or don't bring to the role. 'Governance experience is well and good, but most importantly people need to come into the role prepared to learn about all the functions of a regional council. We provide critical public services and infrastructure and have annual turn-over to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. We need multi-disciplined people with a wide range of experiences and skills, who are prepared to represent the whole Bay of Plenty region.' The upcoming local body elections are being held on Saturday 11 October 2025. To register for the webinar or to find out more about the upcoming elections, visit Key election dates:
