IVAN BARNETT: THE LONE GOOSE, THE ABANDONED FLOCK, AND A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TURNED ITS BACK ON THE PUBLIC

For the first time in my lifetime, I am witnessing a Government that is distancing itself from the public, ignoring the voices of the people who elected it, and aligning itself instead with unelected iwi authorities who now hold increasing power over public assets, public services, and public decision‑making.

Just as in nature, when the lead goose breaks formation and flies away, the flock is left struggling in turbulence — directionless, unsupported, and burdened. A Prime Minister who leaves his flock to fend for themselves while he aligns with unelected interests has failed the basic duty of leadership.

The flock does not exist to serve the leader.

The leader exists to serve the flock.

THE GOVERNMENT’S DOUBLE STANDARD ON UN-ELECTED POWER

The Government has ended unelected voting members on some council committees — yet refuses to remove: Auckland’s Independent Māori Statutory Board seats, and Ngāi Tahu’s unelected seats on Environment Canterbury.

Both hold full voting powers over rates, spending, planning, and regulation.

Minister Watts’ justification — that Parliament created these seats — is not a constitutional defense. It is a contradiction of the principle he himself stated:

Unelected members should not vote on rates, spending, and regulations when they lack a democratic mandate.

If this principle is true, it must apply everywhere.

THE SPREAD OF CO‑GOVERNANCE IN WATER

Despite pre‑election commitments, co‑governance of water is not ending. It is accelerating.

Wellington’s Metropolitan Water Services Delivery Plan introduced iwi “partners” with unelected authority.

Waikato’s IAWAI – Flowing Waters Limited, a full partnership with Waikato‑Tainui, is weeks away from taking over storm water, sewerage, and drinking water.

The unelected “Forum” is being handed powers to: appoint and remove directors, appoint the chair, set strategy, priorities, and plans, set performance indicators, monitor the company instead of elected councillors.

This is governance without election.

NOW OR NEVER — THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE WINDOW

A local government amendment bill is before Parliament right now.

This is the last opportunity before the election to: restore democratic control, remove unelected authority, stop co‑governance of water, return councils and subsidiaries to democratic models.

Once the new water entities are operational, they will be extremely difficult to unwind.

CONSTITUTIONAL WARNING

New Zealand’s constitutional framework rests on: democratic mandate, equality before the law, accountability of Ministers, neutral public administration, and sovereignty of the people through Parliament

Any system that allows unelected individuals to exercise binding authority over public assets or public decision‑making is a departure from constitutional norms.

Any Government that preserves such systems while claiming to defend democracy is acting in contradiction to its own stated principles.

A Prime Minister who refuses to correct these breaches is failing in the most fundamental duty of leadership: to represent the whole nation, not selected interests.

THE PUBLIC IS NOT BEING HEARD — AND THAT MUST END

The public is speaking.

The Government is not listening.

The flock has been left without its leader.

And the country is being steered by unelected hands.

Ivan Barnett is an 82 year old retired farmer who began farming in 1959 at age fifteen. He retired to Beckenham in 2022 .