1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: Afternoon. The government has just announced it once to scrap 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: regional councils. It's proposing to instead replace them with boards 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: made up of mayors from the local region. This would 4 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: be the biggest shakeup of local government in more than 5 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: thirty five years. In the man responsible as Chris Bishop, 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: the RMA reform Minister High bish Hello, is this part 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: of a large RMA package. 8 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 2: Yes, you'll see in our RMA reforms in a couple 9 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 2: of weeks time, much more simplification of the system, greater standardization, 10 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 2: the removal of duplication in the system. And we think 11 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 2: it's in light of all of that it's time to 12 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 2: look at local government as well. We thought quite hard 13 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 2: about it because it is a big call. It's the biggest, 14 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 2: It would be the biggest shake up since nineteen eighty nine. 15 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 2: But we think given we're making going to make these 16 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 2: changes to the way in which we do things locally anyway, 17 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 2: you know, now's the time to basically do it all. 18 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 2: It's a big mother big gohnor, but I think it's 19 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 2: worth it, and un frankly, I think these Zellners are 20 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 2: up for it as well. I think there's widespread dissatisfaction 21 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 2: with the performance of local government right now. And you 22 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 2: know you've got you've got a huge amount of frustration 23 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 2: out there amongst the general public. So we think, you know, 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 2: now it's the time to do it. 25 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: When are they gone, Well. 26 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 2: We are proposing we're proposing a consultation document right now 27 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 2: which would get rid of elected regional councilors and essentially 28 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 2: have a board of meors for a region. So for 29 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 2: you know, take Wellington for example, the mayors of Lower 30 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 2: Heart and Upper Heart and po RUA would take over 31 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,759 Speaker 2: the running of the regional things that the regional council does. 32 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,680 Speaker 2: And then we would ask those meyors and those councils 33 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: to go through a process of looking at how they 34 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 2: organize themselves regionally. And one option that might come out 35 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 2: of that might be the adoption of a unitary authority 36 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 2: for all of Wellington, for example, and I think certainly 37 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 2: in Wellington, which is you know the Valentinian Yeah, yeah, exactly, 38 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 2: creating some sort of unitary authority as sort of supersity 39 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 2: for the Wellington region, which would just have one layer 40 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 2: of governments right rather and having a regional council like 41 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 2: we have at the moment, and all of these constituent 42 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 2: councils as well. 43 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I feel like that would automatically happen, wouldn't it. 44 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: I mean, surely it would happen in Wellington. Canterbury would 45 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: have to consider it as well. 46 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 2: Oh, there's quite a bit of support for it down 47 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: in Canterbury. I mean this huge frustration with the performance 48 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 2: of e can for example, Environment Canterbury down there, and 49 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,359 Speaker 2: to be honest, and to be honest here that quite 50 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 2: a lot of people in local government say to me, look, 51 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 2: unless you guys do it, as in you know, you 52 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:27,799 Speaker 2: guys as in central government, Unless you guys do this 53 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 2: to us, it will never happen. Yeah, because and there's 54 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 2: been a few attempts in Wellington over the years, but 55 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:35,919 Speaker 2: also Hooks Bay, there's been some attempts down in Southland 56 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: to sort of amalgamate and reorganize and they always fail 57 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 2: because status quo bias kicks in. It goes to a 58 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 2: local referendu then all the people get worked up at fails. Actually, 59 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:47,800 Speaker 2: people sometimes say to us in central government, look, can 60 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 2: you just get on and do it to us? Everyone knows, 61 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: even people who are elected counselors know that the status 62 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 2: quo I think is unsustainable. 63 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: Okay, But if you are only getting rid of the 64 00:02:57,800 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: elected councilors and are replacing them with the board of 65 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: met is, does that mean that you're actually kemping keeping 66 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: the background the backroom functions of the regional council going, 67 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: which is arguably and not arguably it is the most 68 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: expensive part that stays. 69 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: Intact in the short term before we get to the 70 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,239 Speaker 2: stage two, which is the regional reorganization, which we would 71 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: expect to result in much much greater simplification of the 72 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 2: way in which the regions organize themselves. And that's where 73 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,839 Speaker 2: the resource management reforms kick in. And so that's why 74 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:29,239 Speaker 2: they're kind of linked because through. 75 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: This is where we this is this is where we 76 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 1: really start to make the savings, right, because the actual 77 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: councilors don't cost that much. It's the crap that goes 78 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: on in the background. It's the tens of millions of 79 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: dollars and the years that they spend on planning things 80 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: for fresh water and rivers and stuff like that. Are 81 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: you going to simplify and make that cheaper for us? 82 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 2: Yes, we are, and that's why it's linked to resource 83 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: management reform. So take for example, making a plan. At 84 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 2: the moment, on average, it takes about six or seven 85 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 2: years to write a plan, just a simple plan for 86 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: a city or a region. We think we can get 87 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 2: that down to two years through the new resource management 88 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 2: system and there'll be much greater simplification and standardization. So, 89 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 2: for example, there'll be fewer consents required in the new system. 90 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 2: Fewer consents means fewer people in council bureaucracies processing all 91 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 2: of the consents. So that will result in the stripping 92 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 2: cost out of the system. 93 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: Because what it gets shorter, it becomes a shorter process 94 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: and presumably a cheaper process because there are pre existing 95 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: pre written plans they get to choose from rather than 96 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: writing their own plans. Yes, correct, So you. 97 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: Know, the example I've been talking about publicly for a 98 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 2: while now is New Zealand has eleven hundred and seventy 99 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 2: five different zones across the country, right all, every single 100 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: zone has its own rules. Canterbury alone has like two 101 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 2: hundred and sixty something. 102 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: And what are you going to get it down to 103 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: thirteen across New Zealand? 104 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 2: Well, Japan has thirteen. I don't think we're going to 105 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: get to thirteen, but you know, can we can we 106 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 2: get closer to thirteen and eleven hundred and seventy five. 107 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: That's going to make the rates. 108 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: It will put downward pressure on rates for sure, because 109 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 2: we're going to strip cost out of the system. Our 110 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:01,839 Speaker 2: expectations that that value. 111 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: Normal people's talk right. Rates will never get they will 112 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: never come down. But can you stop the rise, We. 113 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:11,919 Speaker 2: Can put downward pressure on them. And we've got wider 114 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 2: work underway around rates capping as well, which Simon Watts 115 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 2: will have more to say about very soon. 116 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 1: Now listen, I'm sorry to do this, but we're going 117 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: to have to talk about the thing. Did you leave 118 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 1: your office today because of Thomas Coglin's questions. 119 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 2: Leave in the press conference? 120 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: Years? 121 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 2: No, we had a forty five minute press conference. We'd 122 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 2: come to the end of it. I had to go 123 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 2: to a meeting about the Resource Management Act in another office. Yes, well, 124 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:38,600 Speaker 2: well no, no, the meeting was in my office. But 125 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 2: that's why you had to leave. 126 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: You because so Thomas was asking your awkward questions, so 127 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: you had to leave your office so everybody would leave so 128 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:46,719 Speaker 1: you can come back in for your meeting. 129 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 2: I was We had a forty five minute press conference 130 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 2: and dealt with all the questions the press conference would 131 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:52,479 Speaker 2: come to an end. That's why I left the office. 132 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 1: What he was asking you is how's how's the polling 133 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: looking in your seat? Are you're going to lose your 134 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: seat on current polling in South? 135 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 2: I'm not focused on that. I'm focused on my ministerial job. Obviously, 136 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 2: I'll be putting my best foot forward in Hut South 137 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: and I'd love to remain the local electerate MP for 138 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 2: Hut South, but that will ultimately over to the good 139 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: people of Huts South in a year or so's time. 140 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 2: But I've got a job to do as the Minister 141 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,599 Speaker 2: of You know quite a few things, frankly, and you 142 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 2: know the best thing I can do for the Hut 143 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 2: Valley is make sure that we get these RMA reforms 144 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 2: done in the local government. 145 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: Okay, So the answer to that question is obviously then yes, 146 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: you are on current poland going to lose your seat. 147 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,119 Speaker 1: How do you feel about the fact that the Prime Minister 148 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: was asked about this today whether he was concerned about 149 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 1: the MPs who would lose their seats on current polling, 150 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: and he said he wasn't concerned. 151 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 2: Well, my understandings is clarified. That answer he thought he 152 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:40,119 Speaker 2: was answering a hypothetical question. 153 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 1: Do you wish he answering questions than he is. 154 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 2: Well, my understandings is clarified that answer, and I'm sure 155 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 2: that's not what he meant. I mean clearly, we want 156 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:49,359 Speaker 2: as many National in peace to win their seats. I 157 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 2: want to win my seat. Simon Watts wants to win 158 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 2: his seat. Everyone who holds an electerate seat for the 159 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 2: National Party would would love to hold those seats. But actually, 160 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,160 Speaker 2: as you know hither, it's the party vote that counts. 161 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 2: And make make sure we get as many party votes 162 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 2: for National as the critical thing that we've all got 163 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: to be focused on, and that's my number one priority. 164 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: Chris, thanks very much listen. I'm sorry this crap is 165 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 1: overshadowing the wonderful work you're doing. And good work with 166 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 1: the RMA stuff, Chris Bishop, RMA reform Minister, with some 167 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: of the best news you've probably heard in a little while. 168 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: Eh For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live 169 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: to news Talks. It'd be from four pm weekdays, or 170 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.