Local Government Commission Determines Status Quo Is Best

The Local Government Commission released its determination yesterday supporting the current ward boundaries and the number of councillors within Manukau City for the local body elections on 13 October 2001.

“I acknowledge while many will be pleased with the continuity and stability this decision brings, there will also be those who will be disappointed that the Commission did not use the opportunity to instigate change in view of the city’s rapid growth, Sir Barry Curtis said.

“Submissions calling for a change to the number of councillors and a new ward will always be relevant in a City growing as fast as ours. In this instance the Commission did not think the City was ready for such changes. These are issues that will have to be addressed at the next Triennial Review.”

The determination is the result of a lengthy public consultation process that began last year. Required in law to review its membership and basis of election every 3 years the Council appointed an independent review panel to investigate on its behalf. The findings were reported back to the Council, forming the basis of the Council’s first decision. This decision was open for public consultation after which the Council made its final decision. Any objections to the Council’s final decision were automatically received by the Local Government Commission.

“The Local Government Commission is the final word on all matters regarding local government boundaries. They have the ability to review all the number of wards, formulas used to work out the number of councillors in each ward and where the ward boundaries are drawn. Appealing to this body can have the effect of redesigning the City. While we are able to make submissions the decisions are entirely its to make, said Sir Barry.

“Overall the decision provides a good balance of representation across all wards as at present, the Commission should be commended for its careful consideration of difficult issues,” said Sir Barry Curtis.

Media Contact
Gabrielle Hinton
Media Liaison
Communications Unit
Phone: (09) 2628900 x 8650
Fax: (09) 2625759
Email: ghinton@manukau.govt.nz

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