New Zealand’s city councils are increasingly using “safety” and “well-being” as justifications for unpopular policies, increased spending, and imposing transformational changes on our cities.

In a press release, titled Four well-beings core to local government’s role, the Labour Government reintroduced “well-being” as the purpose of local government (and removing the focus on “core services”).

“The Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill seeks to restate the promotion of social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities to the statutory purpose of local government.

Re-inserting the four well-beings back into the Local Government Act will acknowledge the valuable role local leadership has to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of citizens and communities, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.

“We face serious challenges such as the impact of population growth, climate change and ageing infrastructure. A broader focus in the way councils meet the challenge of setting priorities and planning for the future is required.

“Reintroducing an emphasis on the four well-beings will engage councils and citizens on an intergenerational approach to improving quality of life outcomes in our towns and cities.””

The words “safety” and “safe” are being extensively used in documents justifying changes to roading and transport infrastructure in our cities.

In this case, much of this language and policy direction is being installed your city council through concepts such as Vision Zero and Road-to-Zero promoted by Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Authority, NZTA)

“We have a vision of an Aotearoa where everyone can get where they’re going safely whether they’re walking, cycling, driving, motorcycling or using public transport. To do this we need to build capability in the transport sector, improve sector understanding of road safety best-practice, and learn how to influence change and gain support for road safety interventions that will ultimately save lives.”

https://youtu.be/sLIKH40a1dY

This language and policy direction leads to more “traffic calming” obstacles such as speedbumps, barriers, and raised crossings being installed in our cities. These “traffic calming” obstacles are known to slow emergency vehicles, cause great discomfort, and damage vehicles. Though you rarely find those trade-offs and negative impacts emphasised in city council or Waka Kotahi documents.

Is actual safety and well-being genuinely improving in our cities?

Are actual safety issues being addressed or dismissed by your city council?

This category on CityWatch NZ will focus on issues related to both genuine safety and well-being issues, as well as focusing on the use of such language by the authorities to promote unpopular and disruptive changes.