Hobson’s Pledge Press Release:

Hobson’s Pledge is calling on the Minister of Local Government, Simon Watts, to urgently appoint a Crown Observer to the Far North District Council following serious concerns about the erosion of democratic accountability.

“This is not a minor governance issue. It is a fundamental breakdown of democratic control,” said Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Elliott Ikilei.

The call follows statements on Duncan Garner’s podcast from Far North District Councillor Davina Smolders, who has raised alarm about decision-making processes within the council.

According to Smolders, unelected iwi and hapū representatives now outnumber elected councillors on key committees that shape decisions flowing through to full council including decisions affecting spending, infrastructure, and rates.

“These are unelected individuals exercising real influence over decisions that directly impact ratepayers. We aren’t just talking about community input or consultation,” said Ikilei.

“That means people who were never elected, who cannot be voted out, and who are not accountable to the public are driving council decisions. And that is a direct challenge to representative democracy.”

Smolders has called for a Crown Observer to be appointed, a call that has been backed by local constituents. Despite this, she says the Government has failed to act.

“The Minister has been made aware of these concerns. He has been asked to intervene and he has done nothing,” Ikilei said.

No urgency. No investigation. No leadership.

We want to make it very clear that this is a case of ‘step in or step aside’ when it comes to Minister Watts.

We will be calling for him to be removed as minister if he continues to be negligent in regards to the Far North District Council.”

Ikilei said the situation raises serious questions about the Government’s commitment to its election promises.

“This Government was elected with a clear mandate to remove co-governance. They promised to deal with it and the fact this is happening on their watch is a broken promise, plain and simple.”

Hobson’s Pledge warns that failure to act risks setting a precedent for other councils.

“If this is allowed to continue, it will not stay in the Far North. It will spread and become normalised. Other councils will follow suit, and the public will increasingly be shut out of decisions that affect their own communities.”

Hobson’s Pledge has launched a petition calling on the Government to intervene.

“Appointing a Crown Observer is not an extreme step. It is the bare minimum when serious concerns about accountability and transparency have been raised,” Ikilei said.

“If everything is above board, then there should be nothing to hide. If it is not, then the public deserves to know. What is not acceptable is silence and continued inaction.”

Hobson’s Pledge is urging New Zealanders to sign the petition and demand immediate intervention.

“Inaction is a decision. And right now, the Government is choosing to do nothing while democratic accountability is undermined.”