Democracy

23 September 2019 -

Local body election season is upon us. A triennial test of our commitment to participate in the day to day matters affecting our communities.

Local Government politics is the least alluring part of a deeply unalluring calling - the flannel jarmies of politics. Local body politicians spend their time wallowing in sewerage and pouring over matters of resource management, licensing and calculating optimum car parking locations. It feels thankless to immerse oneself in such a business but issues of sewerage and car parking are critical to happy, effective communities, and elections are an opportunity for those of us dwelling in this happy South Pacific democracy to exercise a right those less fortunate die for every day.

The media suggests that dwindling numbers of candidates are prepared to put their hands up as representatives; local councillors, mayoral candidates, regional councillors. Is this because we feel we can’t make a difference? Or maybe we are afraid of incurring the wrath of segments of our community? Keeping everyone happy is not possible and social media makes it easy to vilify those with whom you are not in agreement. Certainly the lively debates carried out online indicate that apathy is not a widespread problem, so is our willingness to comment and critique alive and well, but the disinclination to contribute real time and effort is thriving? It has always been easier to criticise than to contribute.

Is it time to ditch our democracy and install a benevolent dictatorship? Think of the time saved on meetings and consultations, not to mention campaigns and elections. We just need to define the required attributes and find the right person. Someone with vision, but not a radical one, strategic but not too corporate, diplomatic not dogmatic, firm but not stubborn, a good speaker but also a good listener. Someone good at reading reports, cutting ribbons, someone who remembers that Wanaka is a place, too. My flannel jarmies are at the ready..