Local Government New Zealand recently estimated an extra $11 billion is needed over the next seven years to meet unexpected cost increases. The credit rating agency S&P Global has downgraded 18 councils and three council-controlled organisations, and given negative outlooks to three more councils. The auditor-general reported in February that inflation has driven up the costs of construction, insurance and debt servicing. This is putting pressure on operational expenses and capital improvements at the same time as demand for council services is increasing. . . . → Read More: Article: Rates will never be enough – councils need the power to raise money in other ways
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Eroding the power of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — whether explicitly or implicitly through laws such as the Regulatory Standards Bill — has serious strategic, legal, and economic consequences for Aotearoa New Zealand’s trade agreements and exposure to ISDS cases. Here’s how and why: . . . → Read More: Opinion: Regulatory Standards Bill – what you need to know. Dr Mawera Karetai
Let’s demand courage. Vision. Long-term thinking. A mayor and councillors who are eager to work together for all of us — motivated not just by managing the now, but by building a strong foundation for the future. Let’s be honest about the challenges, and clear-eyed about the kind of community we want to be. Let’s vote for leaders who can hold this nuance — honestly, logically, and compassionately. Because ultimately, the four wellbeings weren’t just policy. They were a reminder of what really matters. And whether they stay in law, they must stay in our decisions. . . . → Read More: Opinion: Yes, let’s not forget what councils really do. Becs Mackay To react to this fiscal crunch by cutting public spending – both capital investment and current – is the wrong approach macroeconomically. It risks making the problem worse: depressing growth further, and reducing tax revenues and hence the resources available to improve public services. The economy will not sufficiently grow while people sit for months on NHS waiting lists unable to work; while children from poorer backgrounds are held back from achieving their full potential at school; and while the housing market is so dysfunctional that lack of affordability prevents people taking up economic opportunities. There are other options available. . . . → Read More: The Observer view: sticking to fiscal rule will imperil Labour’s future
Our discussions shouldn’t be about debt, but about what our debt is paying for and who is benefitting from it. . . . → Read More: Opinion: The Language of Fear
May 21 2025 “We shipped over four pallets of Wai Mānuka, which landed two weeks ago, and we’re now in discussions to manufacture and send a full container ahead of the US summer months,” Mr Harawira said. A single container of Wai Mānuka holds more product than the company has sold through New World supermarkets across New Zealand over the past 15 months. “In our original plan, we expected to ship our first container within 12 to 18 months — not as part of our second order,” Mr Harawira said. . . . → Read More: Wai Manuka launches in New York Apr 9, 2025 The rest of the world is getting grumpier and grumpier and old men with bushy eyebrows and trillionaires for aides are talking about taking over countries to boost security. Just steal them, plonk an army onsite and take over. Like Vietnam, or Afghanistan. What could possibly go wrong. . . . → Read More: Letters: We really do need some good news
Apr 2, 2025 The Enhance Coastlands Art Project saw 19 power boxes painted by artists, including up-and-coming names, school students and art class participants. . . . → Read More: Coastlands Art Project launches this weekend
Mar 21, 2025 If you hear a bigot attacking diversity, equity and inclusion, ask them what it is they are against. Is it diversity, is it equality, or is it inclusion? And then ask them to tell you what they have against any of these things. I promise you it’s a conversation that will bring a smile to your face. . . . → Read More: Letter: How times have changed
Feb 21, 2025 Thank you for putting your name forward to lead our community, Dave. Thanks, regardless of the outcome of the election, I will still lead in the same way I always have, by speaking truth to power. That can be in a council chamber, a letter to the editor, or on a roundabout. . . . → Read More: Ko Wai Koe?
Feb 19, 2025 Councillor Tánczos said the hikoi was “fantastic”. “The community turned out in force to express their concern and anger. I think we sent a powerful message to Te Whatu Ora and the Government.” He said the Hikoi for Health Coalition would be sending a list of six demands to Health NZ Te Whatu Ora and the Minister of Health this week. “It’s important for a community like ours to stand up and have a voice for these kinds of things.” . . . → Read More: Hikoi for Health
Jan 31 2025 It’s time to stand up to Wellington as one voice and that time is now. . . . → Read More: Letter: Let’s work together
Dec 20, 2024 WAG are using rhetoric that suits their argument but is at odds with the truth. This is becoming a concerning habit, especially around a democratic process. . . . → Read More: Letter: We are still a democracy
Nov 15, 2024 I know a small number of people would love an autocratic mayor, but to those people I simply ask this question – what if that mayor was me? . . . → Read More: Letter: Pushing for autocratic structure
Oct 25, 2024 I took the liberty of asking to see the minutes of the meeting where the master plan was approved and found that, along with a new toilet, we are getting new lights, improved pedestrian access, better facilities for disabled ratepayers, more cohesion with the RSA next door for our memorial services, lighting and improved ability to run night-time community events and a host of other enrichments which, as is now customary, were left out of the rants by the negativity brigade. . . . → Read More: Opinion: Two sides to every story
Oct 16, 2024 The Sunday Market organisers have always had a strong community-minded focus and offer stall spaces free to community groups such as Waste Zero Whakatāne, school fundraising groups and political parties before elections. It is also a prime spot for us as a community board and for Whakatāne District Council to have engagement with the public on various topical issues, such as the long-term plan. As a community board we would like to take this opportunity to support the organisers of the Sunday Market and acknowledge how much mahi goes on behind the scenes to make it happen every week. . . . → Read More: Letter: Support the Sunday Market
Oct 16, 2024 WHEN anyone disagrees with WAG, there’s a pile on in the Beacon letters until they give up and shut up. I’m thankful that Dave Stewart has not been bullied into silence as well. There’s more than a few of us who are also sick of WAG’s constant grumbling, negativity and disinformation, and who are pleased to see his comments published in the Beacon. . . . → Read More: Letter: Some oldies support investment in the future
Oct 11, 2024 My concerns about WAG’s negativity is that it risks hiding the costs and outcomes that are the alternatives, as we discovered after the post-election euphoria of the cancellation of the previous government’s water reforms – a $440,000,000 ratepayer bill. This concerns the risk of the support WAG have given to central Government’s attacks on local democracy under the banner of “local government reform” without knowing what it will look like. We only need to ask the good folk of Dunedin with the huge protests over the hospital cancellation or Wairarapa, with the eye watering hike in user pays road tolls, to see how badly that can turn out. . . . → Read More: Letter: Whakatane Action Group should be open to other people’s views
Sep 13, 2024 I am disappointed but not surprised that WAG does not see itself as having to offer alternatives to the programmes they criticise because, as we all know, criticising someone or something is easy. Alternatives are harder. And we do all acknowledge that there is a lot the council could do better. As my opinion piece pointed out, banging on about something you don’t like without clearly laying out the alternative has led us to face a $440,000,000 bill as the alternative to the old Three Waters legislation. I thank WAG for owning their support for this alternative. . . . → Read More: Letter: Easy to criticise, not so easy to offer alternatives
Aug 30, 2024 Whakatane Action Group are using rhetoric that suits their argument but is at odds with the truth. This is becoming a concerning habit, especially around a democratic process. . . . → Read More: Enough negativity, where are the alternatives |
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