After reading Tony Fox’s recent article on Resident and Ratepayer Associations, I wanted to add my voice in support of what he has said.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in this space from a few different angles – as former Chair of the Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association, at a district level with the Coromandel Alliance Association, and now as Chair of the Mercury Bay Community Board. That’s given me a chance to see how things look from both the community side and the governance side.
From those perspectives, Resident and Ratepayer Associations really matter.
They play an important role in local democracy by helping bridge the gap between communities and council. They bring people together, organise local views, and make it easier for those views to be heard and engaged with at a governance level.
This triennium, the Mercury Bay Community Board has made a real effort to strengthen those connections. One practical step has been assigning each Board member as a liaison to specific ratepayer associations across the ward. The aim is straightforward – better communication, stronger advocacy, and more consistent relationships.
The response from Associations has been positive, Information flows more clearly, and conversations are more informed and constructive on both sides.
Something else worth recognising is the way many associations support one another. Across Mercury Bay, Resident and Ratepayer Associations are sharing knowledge, learning from each other’s experiences, and helping navigate common challenges. That collaboration strengthens not just individual groups, but our wider community.
Of course, there’s a common perception that some associations only represent a small number of people. There’s some truth in that but it also points to the answer.
An association is only as strong as the level of participation behind it.If only a few people are involved, its voice will be limited. But when more people step forward, that same association becomes more representative, more credible, and more influential.
It’s easy to question whether an association speaks for the wider community. The more meaningful response is to get involved and help shape it.
In the end, the strength of these groups doesn’t come from their structure; it comes from the people who participate.
I’m confident of this: when Resident and Ratepayer Associations are active, connected, and supported by their communities, they make a real difference. They improve conversations, bring valuable local knowledge to the table, and support better decision‑making.
We now need to ask ouselves how we can continue to strengthen them. This is something all of us can play a part in.
