Two Christchurch City Councillors have put their political differences aside to rally against Local Government New Zealand.

LGNZ is an advocacy body for councils, but it’s been accused of not listening to council concerns on the Government’s controversial water reforms.

Centre-right-leaning councillor Sam MacDonald and Labour Councillor Jake McLellan put forward a Notice of Motion at a council meeting today, urging it to “record its disappointment in Local Government New Zealand over its position on Government waters reform.

They also requested staff investigate the consequences of the council cancelling its membership of LGNZ and ceasing all payments to the organisation.

MacDonald said “I think what they’ve (LGNZ) really forgotten is who the members are because they haven’t come to us to ask for a mandate to enter this agreement.”

McLellan said “it’s clear that while LGNZ is telling us they’re not taking a view and they’re working with everyone, the truth is they’re confused on this issue.”

“The only thing that’s clear is that they’re not representing this council and they’re not representing the sector as a whole.”

“They’re telling everyone it’s better to be in the tent, or at the table. That’s really a snake oil sales job and the truth is that they’re actually beholden to the table.”

Labour Councillor Pauline Cotter said it hasn’t been a robust consultation, it’s been a roadshow.

“I think Local Government New Zealand has forgotten who their members are and Government’s forgotten who their members are as well which is local government. This is crying out for a local lens to be put over this.”

Councillors James Gough said LGNZ needed to represent the vast majority of the members’ views and interests and actively opposed the government’s “deeply unpopular three waters proposal and certainly the potential mandation and the distinct possibility these community assets will be stolen from residents.”

“For LGNZ to potentially roll with this is a gross abdication of their responsibilities.“

Councillor Sara Templeton wasn’t “prepared to” “throw our toys out of the cot for some positioning opportunity.”

“I’m happy to vote for number one, but not number two. Let’s please not waste any more staff time on this, when we have much more pressing matters to deal with.”

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel did not support the motion.

“We can’t change the Government’s mind, and I personally think the Government’s chosen the wrong model.”

“We have to be able to achieve what we can on a collective basis, and I’ve got no objection to Local Government New Zealand adopting a position that does not bind a single council. Every single council can reflect their position in their own way. It’s not just for three waters, it’s for RMA, it’s for the future of local government, it’s for all of those other issues that we will continue to rely on them to debate on our behalf, so I am not going to support the notice of motion.”