Media Advisory
21 April 2009

Manukau residents to have their say at public meeting on Super City

Manukau Mayor Len Brown will host a public meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 22 April 2009) at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre to update the community on the government’s response to Auckland governance.

Reporters and photographers welcome.

WHAT: Public meeting on Super City

WHEN: Wednesday 22 April 2009

WHERE: Genesis Theatre, Telstra Clear Events Centre, Great South Rd, Manukau

TIME: 6pm

Main issues to come out of recent meetings:
The two issues to come to the fore at recent community meetings on the Royal Commission’s proposal and the government’s response on Auckland governance have been airport shares and free entry to pools.

Airport shares: Manukau City Council became an original shareholder of AIAL in 1988 on corporatisation of the airport. At that time the airport was owned jointly with the Crown and Auckland local authorities. In 1998 AIAL was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. All local authorities, with the exception of Manukau, have either partially or fully sold their shares in the airport.

Manukau was the only local authority to increase its shareholding. Since 1989 Manukau City Council has debated whether to hold or sell shareholding in the Auckland Airport. The council’s shares and other assets will fold into the new council. The outcome of those shares’ future, along with Auckland City Council’s shares, will be solely in the hands of the politicians elected to lead the new council.

Free pools: Public concerns. Unique policy to Manukau, formalised in 1974. Interest as to whether this policy is extended region-wise.

ENDS

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