Waiheke decision reinforces need for reform
Hon Peseta Sam
Lotu-Iiga
Minister of Local
Government
30 May 2016 Media Statement
Waiheke decision reinforces need for reform
Local Government Minister Peseta
Sam Lotu-Iiga says today’s decision on Waiheke Island’s
unitary authority proposal reinforces the need for local
authority reforms.
The Local Government Commission
announced today that the application to form a Waiheke
Island unitary council would be treated as an alternative
application to the process initiated by the North Rodney
application to form a unitary authority.
This means the applications for Waiheke and North Rodney will now be treated as two options for how local government in the Auckland Council area could be reorganised, rather than being assessed as part of two separate processes.
“The Local Government Commission is constrained by its current legislation and today’s decision is consistent with its previous decision on North Rodney.” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
“The Better Local Services package I announced earlier this year, on the other hand, includes a wider range of models for local government, Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
“There need to be more options than
amalgamation or de-amalgamation. Legislation to implement
the Better Local Services package will be introduced next
month. It is hoped that the legislation is passed by the end
of the year.
For more information about the Better Local
Services package see: www.dia.govt.nz/better-local-services
ENDS