The Daily News had a lot to say about Mayor Max on the Front Page on Saturday 22nd May. These are our thoughts on story Two.

The Daily News had a lot to say about Mayor Max on the Front Page on Saturday 22nd May. These are our thoughts on story Two.

Who would be a Mayor – you’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. Or you’re damned as far as the editor of the Daily News is concerned.

The headline on the front page of the Daily News on Saturday 22^nd May stated “Democracy degraded in mayor’s push to get things done”

Let’s not forget – 9,637 people voted for Mayor Max at the 2025 Election. That was 5,745 more votes than his nearest rival.

People voted for Mayor Max because they wanted him to get things done – and they wanted him to get on with it – and they wanted him to reduce what they were paying in their rates bills.

We are receiving a number of e-mails from our supporters that things are not getting done anywhere near fast enough for Ratepayers.

The Daily News Editor, Matthew Ritloff, felt the need to put a story on the front page of the Saturday paper, criticising the things Mayor Max is trying to get done. These included:

Daily News Quote:

“By acting in the best interest of his community his actions are taking a huge toll in trust”

Alliance response:

• Every single elected official must act in the best interest of their (entire) community according to the Local Government Act 2002. It appears that perhaps some who are not the “community” may be struggling with changes being made by the new Mayor ?

Daily News Quote:

“Pausing an almost done deal with Puketapu Hapu” (Service Level Agreement)

Alliance response:

• This was a considerable expense for Ratepayers and uncovered that many service level agreements exist. Ratepayers expected our new Mayor to ask questions about costs incurred by the NPDC, and to reduce costs.

Daily News Quote:

“He has frequently misrepresented Council’s position on the Devon St West Cycleway “

Alliance response:

• By representing the 7,600 people from the “community” who did not want this cycleway.

Daily News Quote:

“If ratepayers can’t trust their most senior elected official to tell the truth, they will stop believing the institution entirely. Democratic processes” “are there for a reason” “for such things as hiring staff”

Alliance response:

• Hiring the Mayor’s one staff member, which only 3 of 25 elected officials, from 2 councils, raised concerns about (according to a Daily News OIA).

Daily News Quote:

“If ratepayers can’t trust setting rates”

Alliance response:

• Increases are on track for 4.5% in 2026 and 2% in 2027 – just what Ratepayers asked for, and voted for.

Daily News Quote:

“If ratepayers can’t trust making changes to cycle lanes”

Alliance response:

• Which 7,600 people told the last Mayor they did not want and only 1,500 said they did. Regulations and NPDC process are stopping the cycleways being removed. A  number of the elected officials, including the Mayor, campaigned on removing these.

Daily News Quote:

“They insure decisions are made in the open so that everyone can be involved and the community trusts what is going on is above board”.

Alliance response:

• Has Matt Ritloff not seen the Mayor’s Office segments at noon on Monday’s – ask a question and get a detailed answer (mostly).

Daily News Quote:

Matt Ritloff ends with “Ironically, Brough campaigned on transparency and giving everyone the chance to have their say. So far that’s not happening”

Alliance response:

• We are told by the team who manage Mayor Max’s e-mails (when we have requested to book a meeting) there has been an unprecedented number of people contacting the current Mayor. We think this is because he is listening, and he is trying to bring in changes that ratepayers, and the entire community, badly need and want.

Has Matthew Ritloff not noticed the Ratepayers Alliance can now meet with and talk directly with senior management of the NPDC about Ratepayers concerns. And we can work through how things may be able to be improved.

We asked for this because this is what ACTUAL democracy does look like.