Kaipara councillor Jonathan Larsen launches website

Negative feedback from ratepayers over the way the Kaipara District Council conducts its business has prompted Kaipara councillor, Jonathan Larsen to launch his own website - "The Workboot Councillor"

Mr Larsen says he started the website in an attempt to communicate more directly with ratepayers and their concerns. "Since joining the council last year, I have become increasingly concerned about the way the council conducts proceedings.

"As one commentator has said, too much is a done deal - presented and approved with little discussion."

Mr Larsen said the website would provide a record of his representation of the ratepayers to the council.

"I am focusing on issues of democracy, transparency, financial accountability, and keeping rates down. If ratepayers believe there are issues I am not addressing, the website has online forums, which will provide a platform for them to communicate with me and other ratepayers."

Mayor Neil Tiller applauded the idea, saying: "in this day and age we should all have one - it's an important communication tool."

Mr Tiller said he was sure other councillors would like to have something similar, but added not everybody had the time or knowledge to be able to set one up.

He said the council was hoping to have an interactive, user-friendly website up and running by Christmas.

Although not councillor specific the site would include forum on current issues.

The website can be viewed at theworkbootcouncillor.net.nz and Mr Larsen can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.