MEDIA RELEASE
Councils welcome Auckland governance report
For immediate release: 1 April, 2009
The proposed new structure for local government in Auckland provides a new business model that should deliver
significant savings to the city’s ratepayers, Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman John Cronin says.
“The report’s key recommendation of a new, single unitary authority to replace Auckland Regional Council and the other
seven councils is both positive and workable,” he said.
“While some criticisms have been made over the ability of local communities to make their voices heard under the
proposed single Auckland Council model, major change in Auckland was due and the Royal Commission’s report provides the
basis for that change.”
Chairman Cronin discussed the report at a meeting of four Regional Council chairs (Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay
of Plenty) yesterday.
These four Councils represent a vital part of the North Island and contribute significantly to the economy and wellbeing
of the country, he said.
Regional councils around New Zealand would be studying the report and that should prompt them to consider whether a
similar model could be applied elsewhere.
“Throughout New Zealand and within the Bay of Plenty, this new model or a modified version of it could deliver
substantial financial savings to our ratepayers through improved efficiency without loss of democracy,” Chairman Cronin
said.
“We in the Regions can’t afford to be left behind.”
Regional councils, and particularly the four that met yesterday, were a significant part of the New Zealand economy and
would work closely with Central Government to support change that resulted in improved efficiency and effectiveness.
“We look forward to seeing how the Government decides to implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations and how the
transition will be managed.”
Ends