Disputes over the different mandates of levels of government is a continuing theme - now being played out ruthlessly in New Zealand with the sacking of Environment Canterbury, a regional Council. what was the role of the territorial Mayors?
The Press reports:
Canterbury council chief executives left Environment Canterbury (ECan) meetings "with a cream cake in one hand and a blood-covered knife in the other", ousted ECan deputy chairwoman Jo Kane says.
Her comments come as Canterbury mayors who urged the demise of ECan will soon influence how the regional council is run.
Critics have accused Canterbury's 10 mayors of a "power grab" after legislation rushed through Parliament last week made them advisers to the Government-appointed commissioners who will replace the 14 sacked regional councillors.
Christchurch City councillors said the mayors were sharing the spoils of victory, with Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker already indicating a willingness to take control of the city's buses from ECan.
