Media Release

Avoid Disappointment, Order your Local Government before it’s too Late

The government must be getting concerned, as someone prematurely closed off the submission on a government website today, according to a Community Coalition for Auckland spokesperson.
‘ An announcement was posted that the submission period for the Auckland Bill closed today, but thankfully the jittery person responsible has now realise the embarrassing mistake’, said Pat Watson, as the Coalition sent out a last call for communities in Auckland to send in their submissions.

The closing date is Friday 26th June at 5pm. Email submissions are acceptable, emailed to AGL@parliament.govt.nz

‘Everyone needs to realise, it literally is nearly too late. After this stage, the broad outlines of regional governance, particularly on the second tier, will become a done deal. This is it, to have a real say on the functions, size and number of the second tier, currently called Local Boards.’

The Coalition for Auckland- Voices of Tamaki Makaurau is supported by over 70 organisations. It is calling for Community Councils to be established, fewer in number, but with much greater powers than the government model. It has put in a comprehensive submission, and will continue to campaign for a wider and more inclusive consultation process for the next stages of Auckland’s reform.

‘There is an ever growing anger out there over this, communities are fed up with the rushed timeline, and this will only continue to increase unless the approach changes’ according to Ms Watson.

The Coalition has also congratulated Waitakere City Council for its stance on Maori representation. The Council has supported Maori representation on the new Auckland Council, and challenged Government to deal with the issue for all local government on a national basis, by negotiation with Maori.

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