Kāpiti’s future must be decided by Kāpiti people

Former Kāpiti Councillor and now parliamentary candidate for Labour has come out swinging against forced amalgamation proposals.

“Kāpiti’s future should be decided in Kāpiti by locals, not in the Beehive by Ministers,” says Handford.

“Right now, the National-led Government is trying to force councils across the country to amalgamate together. Councils have been given just three months to talk to their communities and neighbouring councils and come up with a plan – or National will impose a plan on us.”

Handford says Labour is drawing a clear line in the sand on the issue. “If we are elected to lead the next Government, there will be no forced amalgamation of councils. If any councils do want to amalgamate, they will have to show they have the backing of the voters – whether that’s through a referendum or overwhelming support during a public consultation.”

She says National’s plan removes the local voice and local choice.

“The August deadline for councils to present merger proposals is far too short for a decision that will impact generations. It denies our residents, community organisations, mana whenua, and businesses the time they need to properly consider the options and have a meaningful say. Kāpiti shouldn’t be backed into a corner.

“And, what’s worse, under National’s plan, once an amalgamation plan is developed, it won’t be Kāpiti Coasters who decide in a referendum whether we want it to proceed or remain independent. It will be Cabinet Ministers – none of whom even live in Kāpiti – who will decide.”

Handford says Labour’s position is that changes to local government must be locally led, driven by communities, and backed by the people who will be affected. It should be locals’ choice; not imposed from the Beehive.

“If Kāpiti Coasters wanted to join with other councils, I would support that choice. But most locals I speak with are saying we don’t want to be forced into larger councils dominated by Wellington or Palmerston North, where our voice would be lost, and we could end up paying for other communities’ infrastructure problems and water issues. ‘

She says in Porirua, more people she speaks to are open to amalgamation with Wellington, and if that’s the path they want, she would support that.

“The point is, it should be voters’ choice what happens to their councils, either way,” says Handford.

“Residents and ratepayers deserve to know exactly what any merger would mean for their rates, their services, and their local representation. Would decisions currently made locally be taken over by the city? Would we retain a strong, independent voice, or would we be diluted into a minor part of a larger organisation?”

Handford says these questions cannot be answered under a rushed three-month ultimatum and that’s why the final decision should be in locals’ hands. She says nder Labour, it will be.

“There are always opportunities for councils to cooperate, share services, and work smarter together across boundaries. But voluntary cooperation is not the same as a forced merger.

“I am calling on my fellow Kāpiti electorate candidates to join with me in telling the Government to stop trying to mash Kāpiti together with our neighbours at a reckless speed. Let councils take the time to properly consider what amalgamation might look like, and give Kāpiti voters the final say.”