New Zealanders have today learned the results of our three-yearly local government elections. This democratic tradition has not been afforded to the people of Tauranga. While many people around New Zealand bemoan low voter turnout, Tauranga’s residents and ratepayers have had their right to vote for a new Tauranga City Council in 2022 denied. In fact, full democratic voting rights in Tauranga have been suspended until at least July 2024.
No, this is not fascism or a military dictatorship. But the word junta certainly has a compelling appeal to it. On 5 February 2021, following the embarrassing capitulation of the elected Tauranga City Council, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta appointed four commissioners to perform and exercise the responsibilities, powers and duties of the council. The announcement of these appointments included a statement that the appointments would end today – 8 October 2022 – following the election of a new council.
This has not occurred.
On 21 April 2022, Minister Mahuta announced that the Commission would be terminated, with a new Commission comprising of the same four commissioners being reappointed until “July 2024”.
And so it remains that Tauranga’s local government is commanded by four commissioners hand-picked by an MP in Wellington. Many hundreds of millions of dollars in planning and allocations have been made by the Commission without the restraint of the typical discourse that occurs when democratically elected representatives are present in council meetings to question and critique. Major long-term financial decisions have been cheered on by Tauranga corporate interests who openly accept they have repressed any democratic concerns for their own monetary gain. Local media have tended to print articles that resemble regurgitated Commission press-releases - often behind online paywalls or with social media comments turned off.
The past 20 months have not merely tarnished the democratic reputation of Tauranga. This suspension of democracy has provided a stark warning of how fragile democracy in New Zealand is. In an era where many have wailed about “democracy under attack”, the political apathy and corporate support for an unelected oligarchy in our fifth largest city should raise concerns across the political divide.
Not one politician has made a noteworthy stand for democracy in Tauranga. Those who have spoken out have done so without the courage or conviction to invigorate an apathetic polity.
So I have chosen not to mark 8 October 2022 as a day of shame for Tauranga, but as a day of reckoning for political apathy in Tauranga.
The future is not decided, but it is going to be different. Democracy is precious and it must be cherished and defended.
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