January 15, 2009

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

Royal Commission Speculation

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey is relaxed about media speculation as to the outcome of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into governance in the Auckland Region.

The Commission is due to report to the Government in March and today’s New Zealand Herald points to a “Super City”, stretching from Pukekohe to Wellsford, among other things.

Mayor Harvey says such speculation is nothing new.

“There is clearly a strong lobby for a super city. But equally many thousands of Aucklanders made it clear that democracy and public services are best delivered at a local level,” he says.

Key points of Waitakere’s submission to the Commission were:
• Four cities (based on Waitakere, Auckland, North Shore and Manukau)
• Waitakere would include the existing Avondale ward of Auckland City (which includes Blockhouse Bay).
• A strengthened Regional body responsible for regional planning and policies (e.g. housing), transport and other major infrastructure, regional economic development (including international investment attraction), tourism, and major events.
• Local authorities would make two appointments each to the Regional body, which would also have members elected from across the region.
• The chairperson or "head" of the Regional Council would be appointed from within it, rather than being elected "at large".
• A common rating system across the region.

"There have been a lot of claims, but no proof, that a super city will bring financial benefit to ratepayers," Mayor Harvey says. “And in these tough economic times it is financial benefits and seamless service delivery that people are looking for.”

For a full copy of Waitakere’s submission go to: www.waitakere.govt.nz

ENDS

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