JMA decision draws near with continued opacity

29 July 2025

This Thursday 31 July, Taupō District Council will vote on whether to adopt the new Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board (TMTB). The full agenda is available here

Despite growing public concern, the staff recommendation remains to adopt the agreement in full. A fourth option – deferring the decision until after the election – has now been added, but without any commitment to public consultation or independent legal review. I say that’s not a compromise, it’s kicking the can without accountability.

The JMA embeds significant co-governance over planning, consenting, and environmental functions—many of which directly intersect with the Resource Management Act (RMA). Yet just two weeks ago, the Government froze RMA plan changes due to legal instability. Council’s own policy paper (Attachment 4) makes no mention of this. Instead, it repeats that the JMA is ‘not significant’ enough to require public consultation.

It also claims that co-governance concerns are irrelevant, calling this ‘co-management’ instead. Whether that distinction holds water legally is questionable – but politically, omitting national legislative context and public concern is indefensible.

Council staff offer no updated legal analysis, no plain-English summary, and no consultation plan. The public is still being sidelined. And the public deserves legal clarity that isn’t filtered by politics or internal convenience – if this agreement is so robust, let it stand up to independent scrutiny.

I’ve also raised potential conflicts of interest involving two elected members with close family or governance ties to TMTB. The CEO’s response: ‘Up to each councillor‘ – technically accurate, but politically negligent – and potentially damaging in the event of judicial review.

Meanwhile, staff say public feedback was ‘factually incorrect’ – referring to a Hobson’s Pledge newsletter – but offer no evidence. The referenced Attachment 5 isn’t a rebuttal, it’s an AI-generated summary that largely validates public concerns: lack of consultation, unclear governance shifts, and democratic erosion. If misinformation is being alleged, specifics so matter. Because without them, these claims look less like correction – and more like deflection. Also of note is that I circulated my JMA for Dummies to all councillors and senior staff explicitly asking for corrections – none were received.

This isn’t about obstruction – it’s about integrity, scrutiny, and public confidence. Council can and should pause this process, but only if it commits to doing the next part properly: with transparency, legal independence, and plain-English public consultation. Because anything less won’t just disappoint – it will fail the test of democracy.

And sometimes, good intentions just aren’t enough.

Friday Council Update: Mayhem and The Madness

25 July 2025

Councillor Duncan here with your Friday Council round-up.

Politics never used to interest me much, and office politics even less. I left corporate life in 2015 for freedom and not committees, so how on earth did I end up here? Because after moving to Taupō, my engineering brain concluded that if you want something fixed, you can’t just complain about it – you have to get your hands dirty. I don’t regret that decision at all, but I’ll be honest: the path forward after October is looking pretty murky.

The future of Mayor David Trewavas is uncertain in the wake of the JMA fallout. So far, only Zane Cozens is officially in the race, but I’m aware of at least two serious contenders waiting in the wings, and yes – some are encouraging me to also throw my hat in the ring. But the mayoralty is no small job, the pay’s fine but it’s not about the money – it’s about whether you believe you can steer the ship any better than the other guy or gal.

Meanwhile, things in Council chambers have gotten… strange. The Mayor has without explanation abruptly cancelled our regular Tuesday elected member meetings until after the election. I’ve never been a fan of those closed-door catchups anyway, but the timing feels off. There seems to be some acrimony in the air, or is it just me?

Anyway, to the updates:

Let’s Go Taupō Public Meeting – Right On!

On Monday night, Hope Woodward, Ann Tweedy, and Rebecca Stafford of the Let’s Go Taupo team hosted a powerful evening on rates, debt, and the need for change.

Hope called for people-first leadership and questioned inflated priorities (for original video see here).
Ann exposed the compounding rate hikes and the illusion of fiscal responsibility.
Rebecca broke down unsustainable debt ratios and the lack of transparency.
Myself also proposed smarter alternatives to overblown infrastructure and called for a culture shift from spending back to service (transcript here).

The vibe was serious but hopeful. Taupō people seem to be waking up, and are tired of being treated like they’re not – finally. Watch the entire meeting here: Part 1 | Part 2

JMA Update – Vote Looms but Questions Remain

The agenda for the 31 July Council meeting is now out, with staff still recommending we adopt the JMA in full. We now are presented with an Option 4 to defer until after the election – which sounds like a compromise, but without commitments to public consultation or independent legal review, I say that deferral is just kicking the can. I’ve also raised concerns about:

The Govt’s recent freeze on RMA plan changes,
Potential conflicts of interest involving some elected members closely linked to TMTB.

The responses so far? Vague or none at all, and no doubt you’ll probably be hearing more about this topic before the meeting next Thursday.

Trees Get Real Democracy (even if you don’t)

This week, Council spent nearly 40 minutes debating the fate of a few trees in Ferney Place Reserve. The original request? Topping them to improve mountain views for a resident 500m away who is prepared to pay.

The outcome? A full-on misfire, staff treating it as a removal request, and a debate that took twice as long as approving a multi-million-dollar water reform initiative.
The verdict? The trees are staying – for now anyway. Watch it here, much better than anything on Netflix.

Lake Terrace Silver Birches – Going, going, gone

As for the three silver birch trees being removed this week from Lake Terrace, I didn’t support it back in May due to insufficient information and posted my reasons at the time here

LGNZ Decision Clarified

Contrary to earlier reports, Waikato Regional Council is staying with LGNZ—but just barely.

Enrolment Reminder

Not yet enrolled to vote? Deadline is 31 July. Especially for non-resident ratepayers of whom too few take advantage – this is your chance to be heard so enrol here

Tools for the Troublemakers

Looking to challenge authority more effectively? These Council run workshops next week cover information about how to form an incorporated society – which can limit your legal exposure in a dispute with Council or government. Know your rights and get informed.

Friday Funny (or is it?)

I didn’t make this AI image and probably shouldn’t post it, but it’s already doing the rounds so what the heck.

Humour aside, if it’s hinting at something deeper – a merging of performance, power, and perception – then what does that say about local politics in Taupō?

Friday Council Countdown

18 July 2025

Councillor Duncan of Taupo District Council again, and these Friday posts may be a regular thing for a while because there is a lot happening in the enthralling space of local government right now:

REALLY? We have the monthly meeting of the ‘Tree committee’ next Tuesday 22 July (my shorthand for the Taupo Roads and Reserves Committee). This time we have a six-page staff report that recommends declining a resident request for removal of several large trees on a reserve some 500 metres away from their property to improve their view of the mountain. I am not sure what intrigues me the most – that anyone could be so bold to even ask, or that this Council feels itself so obliged to seriously entertain. I look forward to lengthy and vigorous debate on this matter of great importance.

STOP! Some unsafe roundabout designs are currently being tendered for construction by the engineers at Taupo District Council, the two locations being Crown Road / Taharepa Road and Tauhara Road / Taharepa Road. Don’t get me wrong, these are good places for a roundabout – but one of these designs if not amended I am 100% sure will result in some pretty poor road safety outcomes. On this you will just have to trust me because I do it for a living, so keeping an eye on it.

ABOUT BLEEDING TIME: Local government minister Simon Watts introduces the Local Government Amendment Bill to Parliament which includes rates caps and stronger transparency and accountability measures, see: Bill to ‘refocus’ councils enters Parliament – Inside Government NZ

ADVICE WITH A WARNING: To any budding candidates for the coming local body election, I offer you this insightful 9 min piece of advice from Christchurch Councillor of 18 years Sue Wells. However BE WARNED: as helpful as this message is no doubt intended, this message is calibrated to moderate the ambition of any elected member who might dare to challenge the status quo – so please don’t be entirely like her. See: What to expect when you’re elected – a beginner’s guide for local government candidates by Sue Wells

SORRY BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY ANYWAY: Former Taupo District Council CEO Gareth Green apologies for the unforeseen additional 3% rates increase: Independent review of New Plymouth District Council plan finds significant errors | The Post

A NEW LOW – Mayor Trewavas & Councillors Taylor, Westerman & Fletcher all attended the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Superlocal annual conference in Christchurch 16 & 17 July. Sounds like there was a bit of excitement with some protests outside: Local Government New Zealand Hits New Low | Scoop News

EXPOSE: Find out yourself: What Is the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Really?

JMA SAGA KEEPS ON GIVING: The July 31 Council meeting when this all gets decided draws nearer, and Councillors continue to receive communications from concerned citizens daily. Here are a few recent news items including an interview of Christine Rankin who also encourages people to start giving a damn this next local body election; Public turnout high for JMA workshop and also of relevance: Government to stop Council plan changes | Beehive.govt.nz

IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED? Against the wishes of the Council CEO but for greater transparency, I am releasing a copy of the 26 June staff assessment which concluded that public consultation for the JMA is not required.

PUBLIC MEETING: This MONDAY 21^st July 6.30pmish at the REAP Centre with the theme of 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠? Speakers include myself and a bunch of others, flyer will follow so keep an eye out.

FRIDAY FUNNY: What do you think of the next ratepayer funded contribution to the Taupo Sculpture Trail: The 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐔𝐒?

Still Missing in Action: Public Consultation on the JMA

7 July 2025

Thank you to everyone who turned up or tuned in to last Thursday’s Council workshop on the draft Joint Management Agreement (JMA). The public gallery was packed, and clearly this issue has touched a nerve—not just locally, but nationally too. But before another week rolls over this issue, let’s pause and look closer—because the fine print always matters.

Let’s be clear: no final decision has been made yet. But what concerns me—and many others—is the way this process has unfolded. The 2025 draft agreement expands the scope of the 2009 JMA considerably, yet it was progressing quietly behind closed doors. Only when outside attention was forced upon it did this matter finally surface in a more visible way.

Unfortunately, some of the information now coming from Council leadership is adding to confusion. For example:

The Mayor erroneously stated in a recent media interview that the JMA would help clean up emergency spills into Lake Taupō. In reality, this is a Regional Council responsibility—just like the threatened gold clam invasion. These are pointedly not covered by the JMA, even though they easily could be if that were the goal. In fact, as a purported mechanism for keeping Lake Taupō clean and green, I have doubts that this JMA contributes anything too meaningful.
He also referred to Lake Taupō as a “private lake,” which is not only legally debatable but contextually misleading.
The Mayor claimed the 2009 JMA was never consulted on. Yet records indicate it arose from a series of public hui and community engagement processes connected to the 2005 plan change. It may not have met a strict legal definition of consultation, but it certainly reflected a more community-facing era.

Another point worth clarifying: It’s often claimed that iwi or Māori entities own 60–65% of the land in the district, including the lakebed. However, the most reliable figure available for communally owned Māori land is closer to 35%, even with Lake Taupō included. In terms of financial contribution, this equated to just 4.15% of total Council rates intake in 2023/24. That gap between land ownership and fiscal input is worth bearing in mind when we talk about “partnership”.

And then there are the words of one of our own councillors, spoken at the workshop itself:

“Can this documentation be weaponized? Absolutely.”

That should raise more than eyebrows. It should raise accountability.

Bottom line: If the public is confused, they should be invited in—not shut out. If the agreement is sound, it should stand up to scrutiny. But if it contains embedded obligations or shifts in governance, then we owe it to Taupō residents to test that publicly—before it gets signed, not after.

Council staff say that doesn’t need to happen. I disagree.

The JMA will be tabled for decision at the next full Council meeting on 31 July. Councillors will have three choices:

Sign the agreement by majority vote
Defer it until after the election
Open it up for public consultation

You can read the source material for yourself here:

Recent media coverage: here, here & here

As always, I welcome feedback directly—respectful disagreement included.

Let’s not sleepwalk into a governance shift without the public’s eyes wide open.

“Let’s be careful out there” – and not just on the streets.