More evidence is emerging that communities around the country are not interested in amalgamation of local authorities.
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says a poll showing 91% of the public want to vote for their own mayor and Councillors means amalgamation of the Rotorua Lakes Council with other regional authorities is off the table.
Nearly 80 per cent of respondents said it was important to elect their own mayor and council because they look after the needs of Rotorua and would be based in the region and be accessible to the people.
“I find [these results] very affirming. They’re more affirming than I imagined. We always work on a 80-20 rule but this is bigger than that, 91.4 per cent, they want to elect their mayor and council, that matters to them,” Mrs Chadwick said.
She said “We have learnt that bigger isn’t better but we have to find out what is better. It’s off the table for us, that’s a strong remark, 91 per cent [have said], it’s off the table.”
