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Upper Hutt council uses Three Waters funding for rugby floodlights
Nicholas Boyack
November 3, 2023
James O’Reilly scores a try the Hurricanes at Maidstone Park during a pre-season game in 2021. The park has since had a major upgrade with funding for lights coming from a government fund to support Three Waters reforms. ELIAS RODRIGUEZ / SUNDAY STAR-TIMES
The Upper Hutt City Council has been accused of acting with a lack of integrity for using funding tagged for Three Waters reform, to put floodlights on a rugby ground.
The decision was not without controversy, with community advocate Mary Beth Taylor predicting it would cause outrage and accusing Mayor Wayne Guppy of having a conflict of interest.
Funding came from a government package to support Three Waters reform.
The council voted to use up to $1 million of Better O funding after receiving advice from the Department of Internal
Affairs that it was an appropriate use of the money.
On Wednesday night, Taylor urged councillors not to support using the money for floodlights on Maidstone Park, the home of mayor’s club the Upper Hutt Rams.
“A handful of guys running around at night chasing a ball, we can do better than that.”
She noted that Guppy had opposed Three Waters reforms and said using the money for floodlights showed a lack of integrity.
Wellington was experiencing a water crisis and she said the money would be much better spent on a project related to water conservation.
“(It is going to take) millions and millions and millions to bring it up to scratch.”
If the rugby club wanted lights, it should be prepared to raise the money itself, she said.
“Come up with a good sausage sizzle and I will buy a dozen.“
When the item came up for discussion, councillor Blair Griths, the current Rams president, declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in the debate or vote.
Guppy, however, continued in the chair. The item was carried on a voice vote with councillor Dylan Bentley abstaining.
After the meeting, Guppy told The Post that he was a former patron and president, and life member of the old Upper Hutt Rugby Club. He currently had no role with the Rams, which was formed by the merger of Upper and Rimuataka clubs, although he supported the club, and strenuously denied having a conflict of interest.
As the mayor, he had a responsibility to act in the interests of the wider community and he said the floodlights would benefit many codes beyond rugby. Maidstone Park is now a sports hub and and the trust running it would cater for a wide range of sports.
Internal Aairs had signed o the expenditure and he noted that although it was aimed at Three Waters reform, it also had a clause noting the money could be used for community well being.
The Better o Funding was part of a $2.5 billion package unveiled by the Government in July 2021.
A press release by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the money would “support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater” services.
“New Zealand’s water systems are facing a significant crisis and will continue to do so without major transformation. Overhauling our drinking, waste and stormwater services will benefit all New Zealand communities, no matter where they are in the country.”
Ardern said the reforms would result in significant change for councils and the fund “would allow councils to invest in the future for local government, urban development, and the well being of their communities”.
A report to councillors noted there was no legal risk to council, as it had entered into an agreement with Internal Aairs, and the council.
“At this stage, the funding is secure and highly likely that it will be uplifted before a new government is in place.”
Taylor said she was disappointed by the decision, especially as she was told by a council officer that the main user of the lights would be the rugby club.
Taking money from central government, tagged for Three Waters reform, implied the council supported reform, which she said was misleading.
“What they did goes against my personal values system.”
In April the Kāpiti council used Three Waters funding to cut a potential 12.4% rates increase to 7.8%. The
Marlborough council received $17m to seal the Marina 2 Marina track, a new cycle and walkway for Okiwi Bay and new bike hub lock.
The Upper Hutt council did not respond to questions about whether to not the mayor had received any advice from offcers on a potential conflict of interest.
Upper Hutt council uses Three Waters funding for rugby floodlights online copies.
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