top of page
  • Rodney Joyce

Vote now for real change


What do you want from the new Western Bay council after the current election? Do you want more of the same or do you want real change?

If you are happy with our overly high rates, and the council’s lack of consultation and lack of transparency, then I am not the candidate for you.

I’m for serious change that means doing something truly different, not just parroting management cliches and jargon and carrying on the same as before.

The council’s finances are in a mess. Rising inflation and interest rates mean its current infrastructure plans and policies are unaffordable without another big rates increase after the election.

The only way to avoid that is to spread the spending programme over more time.

We need stronger governance, including an affordable strategy and proper, ongoing reviews of operations. The council has neither at the moment.

The government’s Three Waters changes must be stopped, if at all possible.

If the changes are forced through by the government, we must ensure our council does not keep on charging us high rates while we also have to pay Three Waters charges to a new water company.

We need a mayor with practical policies on climate change, housing, growth, economic development and local democracy. We need to ensure that we leave the next generation with more than just a huge council debt.

Attached to this post is a copy of my policy brochure that went to most Western Bay homes this week (the ones without ‘no junk mail’ signs). It addresses each of these issues in a new way.

I am not standing for mayor and council because I think it is my turn or because I think I would look nice in the mayoral chains (I might even be the ugliest mayor yet).

I am standing for real change and a council that listens with humility.

Please tick my name on the voting papers (twice if you live in Katikati/Waihi Beach and can vote for me as councillor as well) and let’s sort out this council together.

41 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

WBOP District Council backs a Maori ward

I am very happy to be part of this important decision to adopt one or more Maori wards at the next two local government elections. The result will be a better-balanced council that makes better decisi

My WBOP meeting speech in favour of a Maori ward

This is my speech for the Maori ward decision this week. I realise more than a few people struggle with this idea so this explains why I believe it is essential for our district to do this. (Note I di

bottom of page