John Key

17 June, 2009
On changes to Auckland Governance

For a PDF list of public meetings,click here.

To see the full list of the National Party's Auckland MPs, click here.

Auckland Local Government: Select Committee Details

The dedicated Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee has now set a preliminary timetable for hearing submissions.

Submissions

Submissions are now being called and close on 26 June 2009.

Submissions can be sent to the Select Committee online at ALG@parliament.govt.nz or posted to:
Clerk of the Committee
Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee
Select Committee Office
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON

Information on how to make a submission to a select committee, including a suggested submission format, can be found here (click).

Statement from Hon John Carter, Associate Minister of Local Government:

It's great to see consensus is building for a unified Auckland.

The newspaper headlines in recent days are reflecting what I'm hearing in the many public meetings I've been holding throughout the city to discuss plans for a single region-wide council that has the ability to get things done.

"If ever the case for a single city was clinched it was last week on Queens Wharf," said the Herald. "Such a fragmented approach to developing the waterfront is a strong argument for the Super City. At the very least, there would be fewer heads to bang together," wrote columnist Bernard Orsman.

And their comments are now being echoed by most of the region's mayors.

Waitakere's Bob Harvey said his vision was " to unify the interests of New Zealand with the interests of Auckland into a single commercial, environmental and political approach to face the world," while Manukau's Len Brown says he wants to see a city "where we work towards common goals that will ensure Auckland moves forward economically and socially". ARC chairman Mike Lee calls for "more democracy, less bureaucracy".

And it's hard not to agree with them.

Indeed, after initial political posturing, even the Labour opposition is swinging in behind the vision for a unified Auckland, which can capitalise on opportunities and act quickly on issues of regional import.

It was also good to see a Greens spokesperson making the very strong point that conservation objectives are likely to be better achieved by a unitary authority. This is the sort of contribution that could be supported by a submission outlining how that can be the case. As chairman of the select committee considering the case for change in Auckland I certainly hope we see useful submissions from individuals and groups right across the community.

The proposals that the Government has on the table are up for discussion. What has become clear, is that communities want their unique identities protected, they want local representation that reflects their diverse needs.

That is precisely what the Government wants, and that is why we are listening to Auckland. It's why we welcome the efforts of groups helping people prepare submissions and get their voices heard by the special select committee considering local government reform in Auckland.

I'm heartened by the thoughtful contributions I'm getting from communities and interested ratepayers, and delighted by the constructive approach that we're beginning to see.

The Queens Wharf announcement is an example of what communities, local authorities, and central Government can do when they work together.

Long may it continue.

ENDS

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