Su’a William
SIO
Local Government Spokesperson
15 September 2015 MEDIA STATEMENT
Hawkes Bay decision a victory for democracy
Today’s decision by the Hawke’s Bay community to vote overwhelming against amalgamation shows the spirit of local
democracy is alive and kicking in New Zealand, Labour’s Local Government spokesperson Su’a William Sio says.
“The Hawke’s Bay community are to be congratulated for their determination to keep their independence and resist the
future ramifications a super-city structure would impose on its residents.
“Local democracy has prevailed only because the people of Hawke’s Bay have been vigilant and fought for it to remain.
“This decision affirms that New Zealanders want more democracy not less and National needs to stop treating local
government as if it was their servant,” Su’a William Sio says.