ACT welcomes Government guidance to rein in vexatious councils

ACT Leader David Seymour has welcomed the Government’s decision to formally set its expectation that councils step back from enforcing rules that are on their way out.

“Last week in Canterbury, Andrew Hoggard and I met David Clark – a farmer left high and dry by the Republic of ECan’s heavy-handed approach,” said Mr Seymour.

“I said we’d go back to Wellington and ask how a pause could be put on councils like ECan punishing their residents with vexatious enforcement of rules that are effectively walking zombie laws. Today, the Government has made it clear: councils should step back and let farmers farm.

“Across the country, regional councils are making life impossible for farmers. Getting or renewing a consent has become a bureaucratic nightmare, with councils piling on conditions that will soon be redundant under the new resource management system.

“This is another example of ACT stepping in to fix what matters for ratepayers when councils get too big for their boots. Just last week, Hamilton City Council was forced into a humiliating U-turn by ACT over its campaign to fine a ratepayer for having a garden shed – something the Government has already signalled will soon be legal.

“We understand that councils must follow the law like everyone else. That's true even if they're zombie laws that will soon be removed. However there's a question of priority, and working with the community instead of against them. Councils should not be going out of their way to enforce zombie laws on the people who pay their rates.

“We are getting on with cutting red tape and fixing what matters for Kiwis. Some councils are slow to get the message, but ACT will keep fighting for ratepayers and for common sense."