If I may 6xes, I am an eligible commentator as a registered Maori.
The 3 Waters scenario is total deception and also total undermining of democracy in NZ as we know it. Having read the 3 Waters proposal, boring as, when presented to Councils, it asked for input. That was pure lip service. Ms Mahuta had an agenda, and after gaining the support of Board of Local Council NZ representation in Wgtn, she circulated the outlining documentation. It was clearly a premeditated political manoeuvring that had an outcome before it was released. But what was the surprise to Ms Mahuta was that the majority of Councils said NO. So, as is her want, and having the party majority, she gave the finger to democracy of the local representatives and owners of the assets, and said I will mandate this to be done and dusted. Democracy superseded by a mandate of something that a working group has generated and not been peer reviewed in the public arena. How stupid do they take New Zealanders to be, it will be the downfall of a diminishing confidence in the current governments management of all things.
I am embarrassed to witness the demise of democracy and Gareth Tremain captures plenty of reality in some of his humour.
John