Hi, I’m Dan Lewis.

I’m 55 years old, Oamaru born, Kakanui raised, old boy of Maheno School and Waitaki Boys’ High.

I’m a local business owner and the proud father of two adult children.

I face the same challenges of affordability as you, and I worry about the opportunities for my kids to live in or return to their hometown in the future.

Rates can’t keep increasing at a level where our district is unaffordable to live in, and unattractive to move to.

A “Rates Cap” isn’t the answer either – that’s just central government trying to look good whilst passing the buck – the same central government that’s put us in this position.

A recent LGNZ report highlighted how unfair the funding model is. Did you know that for every $1 you pay in rates, you’re paying $10 in taxes?

Yet councils own more than a quarter of New Zealand’s infrastructure and keep the essentials running, including roads, pipes, parks, pools and libraries. A report prepared by the Treasury has warned that rates are “significantly below the level they need to be” to fund those services.

So where does that leave us?

We need to increase the money available, but that should be from central government, not endless rate rises as the only funding mechanism available.

What we have is not sustainable, nor is it fair.

Unfortunately, it’s the system we are obliged to work within whilst pressing for change, so in the meantime, like any household, council needs to prioritise what we spend money on.

While decades of underinvestment have left us playing catch-up, we must ensure that what we’re spending on is still relevant & needed, that it has long term benefit, that we’re getting real value for money and that services and projects are being delivered efficiently.

I’m not standing on a platform, or a particular issue, because real life isn’t like that.

Real life decisions are made based on the knowledge you have and the situation you’re addressing them from.

I do however believe that we need:

Affordable Rates that deliver sustainable services efficiently.

A Better Connection between council & ratepayers, breaking down misinformation and the distrust that leads to.

An Honest Appraisal of what we prioritise, what we don’t, and how we fund both.

A Clear Vision of where we’re at, where we want to be, and how we get there.

Practical Solutions to problems using local knowledge & existing resources whenever possible.

Times are tough, and thanks to signalled reforms, there are more challenges ahead.

That’s why we need practical people who can work together, constructively & positively for the benefit of our district.

Authorised by Dan Lewis – [email protected]