End of an era for Environment Canterbury as former commissioners retire

Thursday, 19 September 2019

Canterbury's regional council declared a climate emergency - and the Christchurch City Council followed suit.

Concerns for the incoming Environment Canterbury (ECan) council dominated the last hours of an extraordinary period in New Zealand's local body history which led to a near-riot in central Christchurch.

The last three of the ECan commissioners appointed by the National government almost a decade ago after it sacked the council retired at Thursday's meeting.

The dismissal of democratically elected councillors in March 2010 was followed by a near-riot in central Christchurch in which then prime minister John Key's car was damaged. Subsequent protests about the loss of regional democracy were attended by thousands.

A high point for the Environment Canterbury council in May, with Cr Peter Skelton shaking hands following the decision to declare a 'climate emergency'. In his farewell speech on Thursday, Skelton, one of the government's commissioners in 2010, said it was a day of mixed emotions.

David Caygill, Tom Lambie and Peter Skelton were government commissioners until the partial ECan election three years ago, when they were appointed as regional councillors.

**READ MORE:

Retiring ECan chairman Steve Lowndes says he stood in 2016 with a clear idea of helping the regional council back to full democracy at the elections next month.

* Half the Environment Canterbury council is standing again

* Unfinished business for some of ECan's sacked councillors

Retiring Ngai Tahu ECan councillor Elizabeth Cunningham says the relationship between the two organisations has come a long way in the past 10 years.

* Bid for Ngāi Tahu seats on Environment Canterbury voted down in 'charade', chairman says

* The white, male, middle-aged face of local government

It was the end of an era on Thursday for Environment Canterbury, with the official retirement of the last three councillors who were appointed as commissioners by the government in 2010.

* Environment Canterbury responds to 20 times more OIAs since commissioners

* ECan councillors sacked**

On Thursday they made their official goodbyes at an emotional meeting which focused on the welfare of the next and first fully democratically elected regional council in nine and a-half years.

Outgoing councillors debated the importance of protecting and growing the close relationship forged with Ngāi Tahu in that period.

They also discussed the need for a childcare allowance for councillors and how that might encourage younger people to stand for council.

An attempt to secure two permanent Ngāi Tahu seats on the council earlier this year failed in Parliament when cross-party support could not be secured.

On Thursday, councillors received a report from Natural Decisions Ltd about future Ngāi Tahu participation in ECan governance.

They also recommended the incoming council consider the report.

The report said even if candidates of Ngāi Tahu descent were elected next month, their job would be to represent their constituency, 'rather than representing the Ngāi Tahu community as the current Ngāi Tahu councillors do'.

It recommended two Ngāi Tahu-appointed representatives participate in weekly council workshops, standing committees and full council in non-voting, advisory roles.

Retiring Ngāi Tahu councillor Elizabeth Cunningham said the 'unique' relationship between ECan and Ngāi Tahu had 'come a long way in the last 10 years'.

It had been 'an honour' for both her and Cr Iaean Cranwell to represent Ngāi Tahu and be involved in regional decision making.

'I'm hoping the next council will adhere to the recommendations.'

Cr Claire McKay took issue with a comment in the report that the loss of the roles might cause a 'risk of disengagement' and a 'reverting to a more adversarial relationship'.

Councillors also discussed a childcare allowance of up to $6000 a year for elected members, set by the Remuneration Authority.

Cr Cynthia Roberts said it was appropriate on Suffrage Day to discuss childcare for councillors.

'We currently support South Canterbury farmers and North Canterbury farmers to come with their travel and accommodation and this is a signal that we are going to try and encourage young people with children to be round this table.'

However, Cr John Sunckell said he was not sure paying a childcare subsidy for someone earning more than $63,000 a year was a 'good use of money'.

The council approved the allowance, but Crs Sunckell, Rod Cullinane and McKay voted against.

Several retiring councillors gave valedictory speeches.

In his farewell, Skelton said it was a day of mixed emotions.

'I will go with a spring in my step and a heap of wonderful memories to sustain me.'

When commissioners were appointed in May 2010 'we faced a daunting task'.

'Our appointment was not popular, because it involved dispensing with the services of the elected councillors, several of whom were known to us personally.

'Contrary to a view that continues to be expressed to this day, the commissioners were not appointed to increase irrigation and intensify farming in Canterbury. Nor were they appointed simply to do the bidding of central government.'

Retiring chairman Cr Steve Lowndes said he stood in 2016 with a clear idea of helping the council's transition back to full democracy.

His declaration that he was a member of Extinction Rebellion had been 'possibly injudicious' and 'possibly not the wisest thing to do as the chair'.

Retaining ECan's relationship with the Christchurch City Council had been an important part of his role.

'This has not always been the easiest task, but I believe it has been accomplished.'

At 12.54pm, Lowndes said 'I have been wanting to do this for three years,' and brought down the gavel to close the 10th triennium of the ECan council.