17/10/2026
Well; it's what we've done... and too that which rate/taxpayers of New Zealand surely can know; that: - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0sNTgzDWVd2TjkkadyQiRGAfBLrMuvMhMJz83LC1dSgUdmadDLJtDMXJyxAndkQZtl&id=61585497880438
A long-time West Coast community advocate, Nana Anthea-Rose, has shared her concerns about the direction of local government, saying many of the issues facing councils today were raised by residents more than a decade ago.
Nana Anthea-Rose says that in 2012 she and other community members organised public meetings and campaigns during the time of former Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh’s council leadership. Their concerns focused on council spending, the growing role of council-controlled organisations (CCOs), and what they saw as a move away from councils’ core responsibilities.
The group used public demonstrations and campaign messages to call for greater accountability, questioning whether council structures were delivering value for ratepayers.
She says community advocates raised concerns about increasing bureaucracy, rising administrative costs, debt levels, and the need for stronger focus on essential services such as roads, water infrastructure, wastewater management and long-term asset planning.
Nana Anthea-Rose says she later stood for election to council, receiving strong support from voters, but claims those challenging council decisions faced resistance from some within the community and political system.
She also says the group called for local government reorganisation, arguing that having multiple councils serving a small rating base created unnecessary costs and administration.
The advocate has continued to criticise changes in local government, including the Three Waters reforms, saying councils should have maintained stronger asset management plans and focused on infrastructure needs before taking on new structures.
She believes local communities need a stronger voice in decisions affecting rates, services and the future of their towns.
The comments come as councils across New Zealand continue to face challenges around rising costs, infrastructure renewal, housing growth, debt pressures and public expectations.
Nana Anthea-Rose says the key message from her years of campaigning remains the same: local government must return to transparency, accountability and putting essential community services first.
This article presents the views and experiences shared by Nana Anthea-Rose. Individual claims and opinions have not been independently verified.
