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A dispute over the validity of large numbers of Official Information Act requests A dispute over the validity of large numbers of Official Information Act requests 12 April 2021 The Taxpayers Union has made 58 OIA requests to the Hamilton City Council since 2018, costing it over 61-thousand-dollars. Taxpayers Union director Jordan Williams says a majority of the requests are for a vital ratepayers report. He says it's a sign his group is doing a good job when councillors complain about OIA requests highlighting waste within a council. But Hamilton city councillor Dave Macpherson says man...

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Jordan Williams and Hamilton City Councillor, Dave Macpherson. Photo: RNZ Hamilton City Councillor Dave Macpherson said an Official Information Act request to his own council showed it had 58 requests from the lobby group since the start of 2018, costing an estimated $61,364 in staff time. The sheer number and complexity of requests had meant extra staff had to be employed, he said. "When you realise there are nearly 70 councils getting these requests on what are usually inane or irrelevant subjects, I'd say they are costing us all over a million dollars a year,...

Last week Council voted against introducing Maaori wards for the 2022-25 triennium. But it did unanimously vote to strengthen Maaori representation and participation, including consideration of wards. It also voted to strengthen the role of Maangai Maaori following the adoption of a strategy, He Pou Manawa Ora. That draft strategy was developed alongside Maaori. Today Council was advised a majority of Councillors had formally sought to revoke last week’s decision. The revocation was formally supported by Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate along with Councillors Ryan Hamilton, Maxine van Oosten,...

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Inexperience and infrastructure costs blamed for local government dysfunction 4 Mar, 2021 11:55 PM 5 minutes to read Tauranga City Council mayor Tenby Powell in November last year. Photo / George Novak Rotorua Daily Post By: Natalie Akoorie A long-time councillor says inexperience, personality clashes and infrastructure costs are at the root of ongoing council infighting around the country, while a local government academic believes New Zealand's sector is unfit for purpose. It comes as Stuff reports Cabinet slashed a billion-dollar bail-out fund for water infrastructure by $239 million and a...