Hon Rodney Hide
Minister of Local Government
Minister for Regulatory Reform
Associate Minister of Commerce
Embargoed until 2pm
April 7, 2009Media Release
Representation guaranteed for all Aucklanders
Local Government Minister Hon Rodney Hide said today the Government’s decisions on the governance of Auckland would
provide effective representation for all Aucklanders.
Speaking at the release of the Government’s high-level decisions on Auckland governance, Mr Hide highlighted the
decision to establish 20 to 30 Community Boards across the region, each of which would be named after its local
community.
The Local Government Commission will determine the exact number of boards and their boundaries, as well as the
boundaries of the Auckland Council and its wards. It will report back in April 2010.
“The new system for Auckland governance is much simpler, more co-ordinated and will provide for community representation
at grassroots level. The Local Boards will have prescribed roles and functions, but will not replicate the service
delivery structures that will be managed by the new Auckland Council, which will replace the existing eight councils.
“The Boards will provide the ability for residents and ratepayers to influence decision making, while the Council will
fulfil the functions that are most appropriately managed on a regional basis.
“Whether it be through the Mangere or Henderson Board, the Pukekohe or Papakura Board, the Waiheke or Devonport Board,
local communities need to be able to manage local issues and express their identities. That is what makes Auckland
special.” Reflecting their geographic position, the smaller communities of Great Barrier and Waiheke Islands will each
have Local Board representation.
Mr Hide said the Government had rejected the Royal Commission’s proposal of six local councils because it would mean
unnecessary and costly duplication of service delivery, and be too large to allow effective grassroots community
representation. “We now have a simpler, clearer governance structure that provides strong leadership at the regional
level and community representation at the local level. This is the foundation stone upon which we will make Auckland a
great place to live, and drive New Zealand’s economic growth.
“It is essential the new structure is in place in time for the local body elections in 2010. This means we have chosen
to have a faster timetable than the Royal Commission was looking at.
“However I want to reassure Aucklanders that the everyday services they expect from their councils will be maintained
while the changes are being made.The new structure will provide room for greater efficiencies through less duplication
and waste, as well as faster progress on issues which have gone unresolved for years, such as transport.
“It is imperative that the new Auckland Council focuses on the future of Auckland and how it is going to turn Auckland
into an internationally competitive city. The newly-appointed Council should not be distracted or encumbered by having
to carry out an organisational restructuring. This will be the responsibility of the Establishment Board which the
Government will appoint.
“The Establishment Board will work closely with existing council CEOs throughout the transition process. The councils
have committed to a steering group and this will be an important and valuable contributor to the development work. It
will also be vital to a smooth transition.
“We need to act decisively if we are to achieve the timetable that will allow the new structure to be established before
October next year. This will allow Aucklanders to have their say on whom they want to run their region and represent
their communities.”
ENDS