Phil Twyford

Spokesperson on Auckland Issues

22 January 2009 Media Statement

Twyford: Hide hasty in “slash and burn” approach

Labour's Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford says Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is out to slash Auckland City jobs six weeks before the Royal Commission has even delivered its report.

"It's a little hasty to be cutting jobs when the Royal Commission is still deliberating on the future of Auckland's governance. Not to mention unwise in a deepening recession."

Mr Hide has predicted a "shake up" from the Royal Commission and said Auckland City should not fill vacant jobs (NZ Herald, 22 January), Phil Twyford said.

“It is important, however, that Auckland approaches its governance reform not as some kind of slash and burn exercise, but seriously evaluates what kind of structures will deliver the best long term outcomes for the public good.

"The time will come when jobs will need to be re-organised. But any transition should be planned in a thoughtful and orderly way that builds a stronger and more capable local body workforce. Opportunistic job cutting is not the way to go."

ENDS

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