Southland council mega-merger a tricky game

Environment Southland has supported the investigation for a ‘mega merger’ with its three other Southland councils that would see two unitary authorities emerge.

“Looking closer into how councils can better work together and reduce costs for the ratepayer is priority number one” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Any genuine effort to reduce the burden on ratepayers is a good thing. But let’s not pretend big council automatically translates to better council. Auckland’s Super City is case in point, where the only result was greater bureaucracy and empire-building.”

"Collaboration has been done effectively elsewhere, like between Manawatū and Whanganui councils, where better efficiencies have been found as well as cost sharing."

“Change for the sake of change is not the solution. Proceed with caution and keep the local community involved in every aspect of the process.”