Case studies that drive change

ARTICLES

CANDIDATES

SOLUTIONS

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Change the Majority, Change Everything

Horiana Henderson
Hamilton City Council ignored thousands of submissions opposing unaffordable rates, instead borrowing more for a risky Ratepayer Assistance Scheme. Candidate Horiana Henderson argues that change requires a new majority prioritising transparency, genuine consultation, financial discipline, and protecting residents from housing insecurity.

Cycleways Yes: But at Any Cost??

Stuart Aitken
Hamilton’s cycleway spending has surged, driving up rates and sparking public concern. Poor planning, high costs, and low usage highlight inefficiencies. Experts suggest standardised designs, cost-benefit analyses, and transparency could deliver cycling infrastructure affordably while protecting ratepayers.

The only Good Cycleway is a Cycleway done well

Stuart Aitken
Hamilton’s cycleway projects suffer from fragmented planning, high costs, and low usage, driving rapid rate increases. Effective solutions include conducting early cost-benefit analyses, standardising designs, engaging in community consultation, and implementing unified transport policies to enhance safety, efficiency, and accountability.

Water is Life: But Can You Afford It?

Michael West
Hamilton’s new joint water entity faces escalating costs and debt, with forecasts suggesting household water rates could soar by 143% within five years. Michael West warns that poor planning, high investment demands, and limited funding threaten affordability and transparency.

Guarding the Tap: Ensuring Transparency and Innovation in New Waters CCO

Michael West
Hamilton’s new $3.6b waters CCO faces ballooning costs, debt risks, and potential rate hikes. Michael West urges transparency, merit-based hiring, and competitive procurement to prevent bureaucracy and inflated bills, ensuring innovation, accountability, and sustainable water services for Hamilton ratepayers.

Raised Platforms, Raised Tempers: Hamilton’s Costly Traffic Calming Misfire

Mesh MacDonald
Hamilton’s costly raised safety platforms spark frustration, with residents questioning their necessity and design, particularly at roundabouts. Critics highlight congestion, vehicle damage, emergency delays, and poor consultation. Despite subsidies, the projects contribute to council debt, diverting funds from essential infrastructure, such as roads, water, and waste management.

Smooth the Ride: A Plan to Fix Hamilton’s Roads (Without Raising Rates)

Mesh MacDonald
Hamilton East candidate Mesh MacDonald calls for smarter council spending on speed bumps, replacing costly bespoke designs with standardized, cheaper options. He advocates community input, removal of unnecessary bumps, and better business decision-making to balance safety, traffic flow, and affordability.

Wasted In the Hood

Mark Flyger
Hamilton City Council’s costly Hood Street upgrades highlight repeated poor planning, lack of accountability, and disregard for businesses. Despite past failures, new disruptions continue with wasteful spending on rain gardens, street lights, and furniture. Ratepayers bear the burden, not Council.

Charting a Smarter Financial Path for Hamilton

Mark Flyger
Hamilton CFO candidate Mark Flyger proposes an alternative budget prioritising efficiency over austerity. His plan cuts debt, limits rate rises, reduces development levies, and strengthens oversight. He advocates sustainable growth, staff up skilling, and disciplined financial management to build an affordable, resilient city.

Independence and Accountability: Governing the New Three Waters CCOs

Leo Lui
New Zealand’s three waters CCOs risk bureaucracy, cronyism, and cost blowouts unless governance is transparent. Strong procurement rules, expertise-based hiring, regular audits, KPI dashboards, and shared services are vital to balance independence, accountability, innovation, and ratepayer protection in water management.

How Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) not to get Out-Of-Control

Leo Lui
Hamilton’s new water CCO raises concerns about accountability, costs, and democratic oversight. Critics warn of Auckland’s Watercare example, where bills soared. Forecasts show Hamilton water charges could triple within eight years, driven by corporate overheads and board-level decisions beyond councillor control.

$13 Million for “Te Aroha Street/Ruakura Road Safety Improvements”:  A cunning plan for more bumps, more in-lane bus stops, and more debt  

John McDonald
Hamilton City Council’s $13 million Te Aroha Street/Ruakura Road “Safety Improvements” plan includes raised crossings, in-lane bus stops, lane reductions, and parking removal. Critics argue that consultation was misleading, key details were hidden, and debt increased, leaving residents burdened with higher rates and disrupted travel.

The Road Forward: Transparency, genuine consultation, internal financial discipline, and creating a culture of prudent stewardship

John McDonald
Hamilton City Council’s rising debt and wasteful spending are fuelled by subsidies and poor financial discipline. John McDonald calls for transparency, genuine consultation, and prudent stewardship. He urges electing skilled councillors to challenge bureaucracy, stop debt-creation schemes, and restore accountability.

Hamilton City Council Loan Scheme to Target Cash-Strapped Ratepayers

Horiana Henderson
Hamilton City Council voted to spend $500,000 toward a business case for a controversial loan scheme. Critics say it’s a reverse mortgage that exploits pensioners and homeowners, while supporters argue it offers financial relief as rates and debt soar.
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