The Mapp Report
www.waynemapp.co.nz

Auckland Governance Royal Commission

The announcement of a Royal Commission on Auckland governance has been welcomed by everyone with an interest in how best to govern Auckland.

Range of options

The two reports, one by local government, and the proposal for a single city by the Employers and Manufacturers' Association led to this outcome. There had to be a way for a considered approach to the full range of options, and an effective means for public input. Commissions of Inquiry are often used by government to solve problems which require this approach.

National will need to act promptly

The report time frame, although clearly looking like it is intended to put the issue past the 2008 election, also means that a new National government will have to act promptly in 2009 to set up the new structure. It is quite unimaginable that the status quo will be retained.

Possible new structure

The new structure will be expected to endure for many decades so, whatever the solution, it needs to be right. There seems to be three clear options:

* A single city with community boards;

* A three city model with a strengthened ARC;

* A joint approach to the network issues, so that transport, water and planning across the region are centralised.

It is also possible a combination of the above could be used.

Royal Commission timing

The Royal Commission terms of reference are yet to be established, and people to fill the role of Commissioner have yet to be approached. They need to be people who have knowledge of our city, and its potential. The Commission is expected to take around 15 months to do its work.

The public and interested groups need to have the opportunity to make submissions and the time to produce high quality work. The public and interest groups will need to be heard. That leads to the likelihood of submissions by the end of February 2008, hearings from March to May, independent research by the Commission and a report around November 2008.

Serious thinking required now

People with an interest will need to do their serious thinking now. Some are already well down that track, others have only started. We will now all have the opportunity to make our views heard and considered.

3 August 2007
Events

Sunday

19 August 6pm

Movie Evening

Hosted by North Shore & Northcote electorates

"Waitress", Bridgeway Theatre, Northcote

RSVP to Valerie, ph 486 0005

Monday

20 August

7.30pm

Public Meeting -"Auckland Issues"

Dr Wayne Mapp

Mary Thomas Centre, Takapuna

Dr Wayne Mapp

For more information on National visit www.national.org.nz

To join the conversation with John Key visit www.johnkey.co.nz

Visit my website for more information at: www.waynemapp.co.nz

ENDS

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