Who should be Southland District's next mayor?

With locals due to vote in the local elections by noon, next Saturday, October 8, we've asked the six candidates for their opinions on the major issues facing the district. We've run the answers over the weeks leading up to the election.

This week, we asked: What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

Here are the answers, in alphabetical order:

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Wendy Joy Baker

Age: 55

Occupation: Valuable Volunteer; Previous: Sports Coordinator; EBOP Regional Council Officer; Contracts Manager; Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator; Research Technician.

What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

I've made a submission, and presented it, to Parliament. 

If our water services need upgrading, then it should not be on ratepayers' shoulders to bear the cost. We pay enough.

My submission says a lot.

Submissions are available here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_124081/tab/submissionsandadvice 

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Kirsty Pickett (previously Macnicol)

Age: 51

Occupation: Business owner, former journalist

What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

The Government has forced communities to accept a solution that lacks transparency around cost, accountability and responsibility. Its engagement with local councils has been disingenuous at best and downright deceptive at worst. The real tragedy is that the outraged backlash is also stifling reasoned conversations about how we can provide clean healthy water and sustainable wastewater treatment. Much of our three waters infrastructure is no longer, or soon won’t be, fit for purpose. That means that regardless of the Government’s meddling, we still have some really tough decisions to make that won’t go away by simply saying “no”.

I have flagged that I am keen to start a conversation about the merit, or otherwise, of championing one territorial authority for Southland. I don’t have a predetermined position on this, but I think it’s important that all three councils talk seriously, at a governance level, about how we continue to work together in the best interests of everyone who lives in this great province, now and into the future. We must initiate these courageous conversations ourselves, so we have a clear vision of what we want and how to achieve it before unwanted and unhelpful agendas are foisted upon us by Central Government.

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Rob Scott

Age: 42

Occupation: Small Business Owner & District Councillor

What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

I'm strongly opposed to the reform in its current form. I have been analysing this for years and instead of just complaining about it, I’ve been advocating strongly and looking for alternatives that are going to work. The control of these assets needs to be maintained in our communities, where we have the knowledge and we have the experience. Government at the moment seems hell bent on centralisation of everything, and the track record to date is pretty appalling. We just need to look at the Polytech situation for where 3 Waters could end up. 

This is not a result that would be of any benefit to our people and I will ensure that I continue to fight for a localised workable solution for this reform. The fact that the majority of councils up and down the country share my view means that there is an opportunity for a collective approach to ensuring that Wellington sees sense. I am not one to back down when something is so clearly wrong. There is a better way to do this, and for the sake of our current and future generations we need to get this right.

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Gary Ian Tong

Age: 63

Occupation: Full time Mayor

What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

Three Waters has and will continue to be a contentious issue. It has created division in many communities. The concept of drinkable water and better discharge of treated wastewater is not the argument, the process, BS advertising from Government and the lack of communication and consultation is!! So MY view is that the government process could have been better as the negative pressure and abhorrent criticism was aimed at our/your Local Body elected members NOT Ministers or Members of Parliament. 

Is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? In local government I would have to say NO, BUT in government organisations I would have to say YES. Centralisation appears to be on the radar of Government at this stage. One only has to look at the likes of the health and education sector to see that centralisation is not the answer nor is a broad brush approach a solution.

I am already advocating regularly through Council, the Mayoral Forum, direct to our Members of parliament and direct links to Ministers. I communicate as required. Remember that advocating means selling the good stories while reminding people of ways they could do things better - brickbats and bouquets 

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Geoffrey Young

Age: 60s

Occupation: Farmer

(did not provide a photo)

What's your view on Three Waters? And, generally, is Government taking too much power and decision-making away from the regions? How would you advocate for Southland on a national level?

I am opposed to the current mandated model of the Water Services Entity Bill ( Three Waters). This is fundamentally theft of the community funded infrastructure by central government, along with what appears likely to be several layers of bureaucracy associated with the four national water entities. I believe it is almost certain to increase water services rates and with no local accountability. Also co-governance appears to be an issue with the vast majority of people.

This government seems totally focused on centralising many organisations and infrastructure with the result of disempowering local communities, the very people at the coal face who know what their needs are. We need to keep our water services in our communities hands. As far as upgrading this infrastructure goes, we either need another funding model or only upgrade as our ability to pay will allow. I believe most of our potable water is of a satisfactory standard and it is the wastewater where most of our improvement is needed. The most effective way to advocate for changes to water services I believe is through Local Government NZ and the collective voices of our local communities.

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• Candidate Don Byars did not provide an answer by deadline this week.