Twyford Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Twyford Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:662;Page:10323] 
12. 
PHIL TWYFORD (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Local Government 
: Does he stand by all his recent statements on local government? 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 Yes of course. 
Brendon Burns 
: Can the Minister tell Cantabrians how abolishing their vote for Environment Canterbury councillors can be reconciled with his comments on Monday that “when you are essentially regulating and controlling natural resources such as water and land the people responsible should be subject to democratic control.”? 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Very easily. The decision made to replace the councillors of Environment Canterbury was made by Cabinet and Parliament the members of which each and every one of them were elected to their position to be in Government. My concern over the Waikato River is that half of the representatives on the Waikato River Authority will not be elected by the general population but appointed by local iwi. I also note this difference from the situation with Environment Canterbury: Environment Canterbury returns to democratic elections in 2013 at the latest. That does not happen at all in the Waikato; the co-governance arrangements are for ever. 
Brendon Burns 
: Can the Minister explain how on Monday democratic control meant: “If the community does not like it the community can sack them.” when 3 weeks ago democratic control meant that if the Minister did not like it the Minister could sack them? 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Au contraire. The Minister cannot sack Environment Canterbury. It actually requires Parliament to effect that change. I am sorry the member was not awake through the passage of that legislation. 
Phil Twyford 
: Supplementary question Mr Speaker. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Before I call Phil Twyford it is my understanding that the Labour Party has had its allocation of questions. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. On behalf of the Government I am prepared to be very generous and seek leave for Mr Twyford to ask an additional question because his questions are always so enjoyable. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Phil Twyford 
: How can he say that council-controlled organisations will strongly support local government transparency and accountability in Auckland when Local Government New Zealand said yesterday that under his model Aucklanders cannot be sure where accountability lies making it difficult for citizens and voters to know who to hold accountable for decisions? 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Easy. I disagree with Local Government New Zealand on this matter and we have had some discussions. I have to say that their understanding of the issue is growing by the day. 
Phil Twyford 
: So you’re right and they’re wrong? 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: No. It is not about who is right and who is wrong; it is actually about understanding the issue. I have to say that Local Government New Zealand has a much better appreciation of the role of council-controlled organisations. I also note that the issue is before the select committee and I am looking forward to the report back from the select committee to the House.