Rob Thomas, Media Release, 8 April 2009

Will a Super City provide effective representation?

A greater Auckland Council would lean towardscentralised decisions and local boards need real weight to effectively represent our communities.

Local Boards

The Government’s announcement to establish 20-30 local boards across the Auckland region should provide the public with a forum to identify local issues, allow people to represent their communities and help develop our future leaders.

However, for local boards to be successful they need a mechanism to implement their own decisions and a process to escalate issues to the Auckland Council. Without giving these boards sway we still run the risk of not having effective representation at a local level. We still run the long-term risk of resources being allocated away from helping develop our communities.

Voter turnout

Local government has such a huge impact on our day to day life because it is designed to address all issues at a local level. So voting in local government makes a difference.

While it is important to have a governance structure that is fair and effective, the region will still have ineffective representation without better voter turnout. Voter turn out in Auckland’s local government elections is appalling. About 40% of people vote and young people, who represent a significant proportion of Auckland’s population, are even less likely to vote

Poor voter turn out is a clear indication that Aucklanders are not engaged with local candidates and with Auckland issues.

The new Auckland Council needs a successfulprogramme that engages the public with Auckland issues and creates a transparent decision-making process that is the best in the world.

To build a healthy, prosperous and sustainable city we need to encourage more people to discuss Auckland issues, encourage competent people to stand as candidates, and encouraging more people toenrol and vote.

ENDS

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