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Reform our local bodies, then take a look at water

boards are a representative group, they will inevitably work as a representative, not as independentminded people seeking best outcomes.

There will inevitably be tension between the groups, the advisory panels and the board between best community outcome and representation, while expecting the board to deliver an efficient and effective community service. The Crown monitor as the servant of the minister is the watchdog over all this.

The prospect that communities like ours will get any rational business response as they raise concerns is low. The representative structure will ensure that those with the most effective political links will predominate. This fails all tests of good governance.

The enormous central bureaucracy will be a huge impediment to action and efficiency. This is already evident, supported by the auditor-general’s report highlighting the deficiencies in the structure.

The rationalisation of local

Opinion

en-nz

2022-08-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281655373853320

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