Water Pressure Group NetNews

 Controversy dogged Papakura ex Mayor David Hawkins on his first day as corporate affairs manager for Watercare Services, with Auckland’s Water Pressure Group calling for his immediate resignation.
 The small but highly visible protest group waved banners outside the head office of Watercare Services in central Auckland last Monday, urging the Auckland City Council – the biggest shareholders in Watercare Services –to object to the appointment.

Water Pressure Group media spokesperson Penny Bright says group members are outraged that Watercare Services, which run water supply and wastewater treatment for the region, is employing a known supporter of privatisation in a key role. Ms Bright says Mr Hawkins played a leading role in helping the “giant water corporations” to get foothold in the Auckland region, with United Water securing a 30-year contract in 1997 to privatise Papakura’s water services management.  “If we don’t fight back, she says, “we will lose control of our water.”
Ms Bright says that the fact that Mr Hawkins role is to liaise between central government and local government, and his known stance on privatisation of public assets, “makes his employment a conflict of interest”

 Protester Tin Chan says access to water is a human right that is being held to ransom, and should be considered purely as a public service, and not a profit-making venture.
 When contacted Mr Hawkins would not comment on record. Mr Hawkins, who stepped down from the Papakura mayoralty in September, now regards him self as a private citizen and does not want to enter the debate.
 Auckland deputy mayor and Watercare Services shareholders group chairman Bruce Hucker say there is no basis to the protest group’s claims.
 “I know David Hawkins was in favour of the (Papakura) franchise agreement and may still be in favour of privatisation, but his role at Watercare Services was a management decision and any of his decisions are subject to a policy.
“Any proposed changes would need to come into a statement of intent to the shareholders group.

We have the power to direct the board of Watercare Services and are strongly opposed to wastewater privatisation”
 Dr Hucker says that Auckland and Manukau councils have voting weight of 70 to 75 per cent, which gives them huge veto power.
 Secondly, he says, all decisions are made by consensus through the shareholders representative group.