20/01/2025
Welcome to 2026 and election year in New Zealand. We will discuss and debate the many views and opinions that are promoted by aspiring politicians and the current coalition government and opposition. As the year is progressing, we are enjoying debates about global, national and local events and activities that are of ongoing interest and concern. Local government has been requested by the government to come up with some options/plans to amalgamate by August. While the majority of our group believes amalgamation is inevitable we have concerns about the loss of democracy and whether it will save any money especially for ratepayers. What do we want for Canterbury? Will our ideas, good as they may be, resonate with either local authorities or central government? Unfortunately, we have no more spaces for new members currently, and anyone interested in joining will be on a waiting list. This year we will continue to meet on the second Thursday of every month at 10am at the Birdwood Cafe, Birdwood Ave, Beckenham.
