North Shore wants to be left alone

Mayor tells Royal Commission North Shore wants to be left alone.
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19 May, 2008
The Mayor of North Shore City has told the Royal Commission deciding Auckland's future governance that his council wants to be left alone, with no boundary changes and retention of its current structure of elected councillors and community boards.

Mr Andrew Williams told Commissioners at public submissions that the Council does not want a Super City but an enhanced regional authority with greater powers. This would include one body to manage Auckland's transport and environment.

Mr Williams said an enhanced regional authority should have 22 members with half appointed from councils and half elected at large under a ward system. The Mayor or Chair should be elected by that body and not by the population at large, thus avoiding presidential-style elections.

The Mayor also talked of the sometimes dysfunctional relationship with Wellington and suggested solutions for better communication.

Commissioners also quizzed him about the North Shore's waste water facilities.
Mr Williams reiterated the Council's view that North Shore City should be left untouched and said "it ain't broke here and we don't want to fix it.

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