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Minister of Agriculture David Carter - Source: ONE News -
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Councillors on the troubled Kaipara District Council have voted to bring in independent commissioners to govern the region as they struggle to deal with ballooning financial problems.
The council today passed a resolution empowering Minister of Local Government David Carter to appoint governing commissioners for the district, following a review from a Government appointed team.
The Kaipara Review Team was charged with reviewing the council in June, after spending on a local sewerage scheme went $35 million over budget.
"We have been fully briefed by the Review Team today - it is very clear that we have significant issues to resolve. We have been aware of a number of these for some time," said Mayor Neil Tiller.
"I believe that independent commissioners will be better placed to resolve these issues and will be in a position to do it more quickly, and that is important."
Councillors will continue to govern the region until mid-September when the commissioners are expected to be appointed.
Carter today applauded the council for acting in the best interests of the local community.
"Kaipara District Council is facing a range of problems including the size of its debt, invalidity of previous rates, management of its infrastructure and loss of confidence amongst parts of the community," said Carter.
"The council's request to appoint commissioners under the Local Government Act is made in the best interests of the district, and I applaud that."