On NRT: The opposite of localism - https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-opposite-of-localism.html
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"At the 2023 election, National promised "localism", the devolution of power from central to local government.
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The three-month deadline leaves no chance for public consultation, which is fundamental to local body reorganisations. And of course there's no mention of examination by the Local Government Commission, or referenda to approve any changes. Instead, National seems to think it can do all this by central government fiat."
@norightturnnz, 2026
https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-opposite-of-localism.html
(1/?)
Forced amalgamation is wrong on so many levels. Getting rid of regional authorities based on ecosystem boundaries is absolutely the wrong approach, for reasons I laid out a few days ago;
https://mastodon.nzoss.nz/@strypey/116497200612919931
But even if it wasn't, forcing these changes down our throats using Parliamentary supremacy is impressively antidemocratic. Even for the NatACT First regime, for whom antidemocratic is their middle name.
(2/?)
Yet more evidence that we need deep constitutional change that puts a permanent end to Parliamentary supremacy.
My preference would be something more closely resembling the old provincial system. Where most decision-making is done as close as possible to where public functions are carried out, and central government does only those things that need country-scale coordination (eg foreign affairs).
If we retain Parliament at all, it ought to be bicameral, with an upper house.
(3/3)
