Letter to the Editor: Rural Discrimination – Gordon Levet

3 March 2025. Mahurangi Matters newspaper. I have been a keen observer for 70 years of how our democracy works, both nationally and in local body governance. There have been huge changes in my lifetime, particularly in the last 40 years. By far the biggest change being in how the administrative employees of Councils operate in carrying out their responsibilities. 

The Mahurangi Matters, in its issue dated 20 December 2024, had an article and photo of six committee members of the Landowners and Contractors Association (LCA) who met with Auckland branch officers of Healthy Waters. Our mission was to object to new rules on rural septic tank systems which came into force in December 2023.

Rural septic systems have existed on farms for more than 100 years. Thousands more all over New Zealand are in service in small towns, mostly on quarter acre sections or less. More recently all small lifestyle blocks would have a similar system. All those systems have functioned successfully over many decades with any problem quickly fixed. So, what reasons have been given to justify these new regulations?

In a brochure dated 8 December 2023, they give their reasons for new regulations. They state that “poor design, installation or maintenance MAY result in polluting the environment and putting your family and your neighbour’s family at risk”. The word “may” means unproven.

These officers presented no facts to support their theory, but conveniently ignored scientific based case studies both here and the US that proved that in no way do septic systems pollute waterways or cause any health issues. So, they create new rules, without any consultation with rural people who are directly affected by having to pay many thousands of dollars, to address an imagined problem.

One would be forgiven for thinking that all of this has naught to do with health and the environment, and all to do with creating a larger bureaucratic force and extending their powers over peoples’ lives. Moreover, this legislation can only be seen as blatant discrimination against a minority group of rural dwellers; this especially against the fact that the city is regularly dumping hundreds of tons of raw sewage into the Waitemata Harbour to create a real health and environmental problem. Those that drafted these new rules are notably silent on this huge problem.

However, this issue and many others like it, are just symbolic of a far bigger problem and that is the survival of our democracy. It is purely coincidental that in the same issue (MM December 20) – our Council representative, Greg Sayers, had a Viewpoint article with the title “The slow erosion of our democracy”. Congratulations to Greg for raising his concerns, the only elected person to do so. His views were from inside the organisation where he expressed his concerns on many aspects that affect our democracy and thankfully made them public. For over 15 years, I have similar concerns viewing the changes seen from outside. The detrimental effects on our democracy have been considerable. Like the rest of the western world, we are now living under a new form of governance, commonly known as a bureaucratic form of democracy. Western governments have adopted this to varying degrees.

Life over the past 40 years has become much more complex, especially since the RMA, Health & Safety and many other laws were actioned, in that some way affect the lives of virtually every citizen. While some officials – mainly senior staff – enforce their powers with sensitivity and discretion, many do not. Many display an arrogant and demanding persona, leaving their client in no doubt that they alone hold the reins of power and their clients must comply with their demands, even if they make no sense.

I agree with Greg that we have reached a completely untenable situation that is no longer serving the interests of “the people” which should be the focus of any democracy.

Democracy is often summed up in 10 words “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. To ensure democracy functions fairly for all citizens, two essential factors are added. First, votes must be of approximately equal value. Secondly, those that draft laws and regulations MUST be elected by the people. Currently, we have officials who draft and enforce laws that can have a detrimental impact on the lives and well-being of our people. Bureaucrats seldom consult with the people and seldom consider the financial hardship and mental well-being their actions may cause. After all, humans are also part of the environment and need to be considered.

One would be forgiven for thinking that this new order has altered the definition of democracy now that bureaucrats have complete power over the lives of our citizens. Is this now not Government of the bureaucrats, by the bureaucrats, but is it for the people or the bureaucrats?

This problem seems to be greater in the Local Body sector than in the national sector of governance, maybe because there is more transparency because all legislation is discussed in the Parliamentary process.

However, all this said, our new form of Bureaucratic Democracy is here to stay. But the present unsatisfactory and undemocratic system must be addressed where citizens are no longer ignored. There are a number of measures that could be taken to correct this imbalance, but space does not allow me to expand on these measures.

Gordon Levet, Wharehine, Rodney ward