Wanganui leading the way in local democracy - 5/12/2005

The hoardings are up and the voting papers are being printed.

And this week the information packs – containing the arguments for and against – will be delivered to all Wanganui households in preparation for 'Referendum '06'. It will be the second in a series of referenda designed to give Wanganui people a direct say in how their rates money is spent, and how their city and district is run.

This exercise in 'direct democracy' is unique in New Zealand and has drawn praise from media commentators throughout the country. In past months, the 'National Business Review', 'Otago Daily Times', 'Northern Advocate' and 'Local Government' magazine have all complimented Wanganui on its innovation in bringing council and community closer.

At the first referendum this year – which asked Wanganui citizens to rank the council's capital projects in order of priority – 54% of people voted. This was considerably higher than the 49% average turn-out for New Zealand's local body elections in 2004.

Information packages go out this week outlining the background to each of the issues and the arguments for and against the changes proposed.

A summary information package will also go out with the voting papers in late-January. The results will be known on Saturday, 11 February 2006.

The 'Referendum '06' issues are:

• whether Wanganui should be spelt with an 'h'
• whether the 'softening' of Wanganui's water supply should be investigated
• whether Wanganui's water supply should be fluoridated
• whether the number of councillors should be reduced
• whether urban and rural wards should be disestablished in favour of one district-wide ('at large') electoral system.

The referendum will be held in conjunction with the by-elections to elect a new urban ward councilor to replace Graeme Taylor and a new rural community board member to replace Stephen Ranginui.

"We are required to run the by-elections so they presented an ideal opportunity for us to get feedback on issues that have vexed Wanganui for years – particularly the water and spelling issues," said Mayor Michael Laws.

"Wanganui is leading the country in local democracy. That is recognised by most media commentators and there wouldn't be a week go by when my office does not get calls from other councils as to what we are doing here. And how they can copy us!"