Friday, 18 December 2020, 12:34 pm
With Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today ruling
out a Royal Commission on Local Government, Cr Gwynn
Compton, who made the call for a Royal Commission three
weeks ago, says the Government’s refusal demonstrates it
is living in denial about the scale of the issues facing the
local government sector.
“In just the three weeks
since I called for a Royal Commission on Local Government
we’ve already seen a commissioner installed in Tauranga,
external observers appointed in Invercargill, and Auckland,
New Plymouth, and Wellington City all facing major hikes to
their annual rates increases to deal with issues that have
A great read Robert, thanks.
This idea of the gift economy is deeply culturally bound in Asia, where at least twice a year families gather, and gifts, usually of money are exchanged. The head of the family (usually a grandmother) gets the bulk of the serious giving, and status is attached to generosity to her. Children also receive gifts, for which they bow to the responsible relative. One need not give gifts, but if not you lose the opportunity to gain status, and the children will not bow to you. Grandmothers often recycle some of their gifts to the grandchildren or single adolescents. Governments also understand that they are expected to deliver, and a lack of delivery is accompanied by a corresponding lack of respect.