As we have discovered, there is a wide variation in how councils manage refunds; Some specify that deposits are non-refundable or reserve complete discretion, others charge fees and others withhold.
Councils
The mysterious case of the paddocks deemed ‘wetlands’
By E McGruddy, Senior Policy Adviser, FFNZ Some readers may have been on the receiving end of frightening letters from their regional council. It’s the letters that invite you to come to a meeting, you may wish to bring your lawyer with you, and be aware that if you’ve done what we think you’ve done, […]
Pulling out the stops on proposed drinking water rules
By Nigel Billings, Federated Farmers Senior Policy Advisor When the Water Services Bill first appeared in early 2021 alarm bells rang loudly at Federated Farmers. The Bill proposed that all suppliers of drinking water to domestic dwellings, excepting those that just supply themselves, would in future be classified and their water supply regulated. Suppliers would […]
Feds fights Rotorua bill that bypasses LGC’s fair representation ruling
Federated Farmers of New Zealand is joining the fray with the Rotorua-Taupo Feds province over a change that, if enacted, could set a very unfortunate precedent on local authority representation issues. The fight is also about ensuring the principle of one person one vote holds true. Many of the Federation’s 24 provinces will be familiar […]
I’m waiting by the phone…
We are very disappointed with the decision from the local body commission. Having lost the rural representation that has been the founding part of forming the Gisborne District Council. When the smaller councils amalgamated it was with the understanding that the dedicated rural voice would not be lost. Well, it has only taken 30 odd […]
Council uses rates dollars to fight its own residents
by Colin Guyton, President Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers, along with many others in rural Rotorua, have pushed hard yet again for rural representation to be at the Rotorua Lakes Council table, being part of decision making and bringing our unique perspective to the outcomes. Sadly following the 2022 Representation Review arrangements, it is clear […]
Andrew wraps the week…
Andrew Hoggard with an update on He Waka Eke Noa. “We’ve been pushing for changes that we want to see, that we think make the farm level a better option than what it currently is. But it’s still too early to tell whether we’re going to get this thing in a good enough place that […]
Feds appeals RLC’s self-serving dismissal of rural ward call
By Colin Guyton, President Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers is appealing the recent Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) decision on their final representation arrangements for the 2022 and 2025 elections to the Local Government Commission. The appeal would have been lodged regardless as we continue to seek better representation of rural communities around the council chamber […]
Feds notches some gains on Council Long-Term Plans
Federated Farmers has just published its 2021 Rates Report, with the disappointing headline news that rates rises continue to outstrip inflation. In the last decade average rates have jumped a whopping 63% versus CPI increases totalling 18%. Fighting local authority excesses and poor decisions continues to be a major focus for the Federated Farmers policy […]
Water entity concerns run too deep to just press ahead
Federated Farmers joins the many council elected representatives and citizens up and down the country urging the government to go back to the drawing board on reform of three waters delivery. “While it’s clear that billions of dollars of investment are needed to get drinking water, stormwater and sewerage infrastructure up to scratch, there are […]