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The Informer
The Informer

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Voters are a savvy bunch and have little tolerance for continued rates increases, a lack of transparency and most importantly a perception that our elected officials were not listening to their constituents.

BY RAY VAN BEYNEN – OPINION

The Local Government Elections were held last month with a very clear message from the voters that resulted in the election of a new Mayor and councillors, the unopposed election of a councillor for the Māori ward, the re-election of a small number of sitting councillors and a large number of new faces on our community boards. 

The Thames Coromandel District voters also joined a majority of district councils around the country in voting down the introduction of Maori wards. The overall voter turnout was in line with national averages but nevertheless, relatively poor.

The message was clear. Voters are a savvy bunch and have little tolerance for continued rates increases, a lack of transparency and most importantly a perception that our elected officials were not listening to their constituents. The demand for fiscal responsibility, a back-to-basics approach and the empowerment of the Community Boards were all key issues.

The community will watch with interest how the new Mayor and his team tackle a heavy workload with some key issues requiring urgent attention. These include the ever-increasing burden of rates increases, a requirement to provide better levels of service and most importantly a change in culture where our Councils put the interest of their communities first. A much more positive and can-do approach is expected where service delivery is prompt, efficient and professional.

There are a number of key decisions to be made and I speak now for Mercury Bay – the future of the Buffalo – Brophy’s seawall, the Esplanade, wastewater treatment and disposal (in all of the wards) and I include a good hard look at development across the Coromandel Peninisula. On that subject, why not do a simple rebranding exercise in renaming our District Council the ‘Coromandel District Council’. Apologies Thames. Great idea Peter.

As a general principle, all Local Governments should be in and of service to their communities. In October 2025 the people have spoken and it is now up to the Mayor, his elected and un-elected officials to develop a positive strategic direction, get broad community support and then implement it. Stay Safe. 

NOTE: This column is written by Mercury Bay South resident and ratepayer Ray van Beynen and the views expressed are his personal ones. The column aims to promote debate on a number of key local issues, to ask the difficult questions and promote a constructive and collective form of local Government across the Coromandel. 

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