Strengthening Auckland’s Regional Governance
Media Release
Friday 3 November
Discussion document significant milestone on path to Stronger Auckland
Today’s release of a discussion document is a significant milestone in the process to strengthen Auckland’s regional
governance.
The document, which outlines ways Auckland’s councils can better deliver in the future, has been circulated to all
Auckland councils today and each council is expected to respond to the options outlined within it over the next week.
Independent Project Manager Brian Roche says the discussion document has been compiled in a joint process involving all
Auckland’s councils and Central Government.
“The Auckland Mayoral Forum passed resolutions on September 15 to initiate a process for strengthening regional
governance in Auckland. This discussion paper is the first major milestone in the response to those resolutions,” Mr
Roche says.
As well as participating on the joint development of the document, Central Government has indicated its willingness to
consider changes to legislation if necessary.
Mr Roche says that means the timeframe for Auckland councils to firm up a proposal for change and get it to central
government is very tight.
“In order to have legislation in time for next year’s local government elections, we need to have a proposal ready for
Central Government by early December,” he says.
Once councils have provided feedback on the discussion document, which contains three options for the way forward, their
input will be considered and a single proposal developed. This proposal is scheduled to be released on November 24 and
councils will be asked to respond to it through formal resolutions.
The final proposal is expected to be delivered to the Minister of Local Government by December 7.
In the meantime the councils have jointly developed a website, www.strongerauckland.org.nz where interested members of
the public can access the discussion document and other information on the process for strengthening Auckland’s regional
governance.
ENDS
Note to media: The discussion document referred to in this media release is available from www.strongerauckland.org.nz.