Next Step in Central-Local Link to Auckland Solutions
Government ministers and Auckland City’s political leaders are meeting today in a step towards a new relationship – one
aimed at solving Auckland’s most pressing problems.
Auckland City Council is hosting the Labour ‘Auckland Caucus’, including the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on
Auckland Issues, Judith Tizard, the Minister of Housing and Transport, Mark Gosche, and the Minister of Justice and
Foreign Affairs and Trade, Phil Goff.
Top of the agenda for the country’s fastest-growing region is public transport. City councillors are also providing
briefings on water and wastewater issues and social infrastructure, including the provision of affordable housing and
participation in the knowledge economy.
Judith Tizard says the Government signalled early on that it wanted more effective partnership with local government and
she welcomes Auckland City’s move towards putting this in place.
“We have set up a forum with local government at a national level because we recognise the need to work together on
social and infrastructure issues that the Government has pulled back from in the past,” she says.
“Auckland City recognises this need too and it’s a positive sign of the Council’s advocacy for its communities and for
the region that we are getting together.
“It’s time for action to sort out Auckland’s problems and building this new relationship is a good starting point.
Solutions will only come from the kind of informed discussion we are having today and firm commitment on the next
steps.”
Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker says the meeting will discuss the big issues facing Auckland and follow up with more detailed
meetings with Government ministers. He says Auckland City Council will also meet the Alliance in the next few weeks.
“We’ve taken the initiative because we’re ready to work with the Government to deliver what Aucklanders have told us is
important,” he says.
“Government’s commitment to Auckland has never been stronger, so we’re taking this opportunity to develop close
partnership across a range of issues.
“No one authority can do it alone when it comes to the infrastructure we need. The key lies in Auckland City, the local
authorities of the region, and central Government working together.”
ENDS