9 April 2009
Media release

Community coalition calls for Hide’s presence in Waitakere

A coalition of community organisations in Waitakere is calling on Local Government Minister Rodney Hide to meet with them face to face to hear their concerns about sweeping changes to Auckland Regional Governance.

The coalition, which has a burgeoning membership of over 60 community organisations from Waitakere and further afield, is demanding more time to consider and respond to the Government’s proposals.

“We are angry that the Government’s changes are being rushed through with no community input,” says coalition spokesman Tony Mayow, chairman of the Community Waitakere Charitable Trust.

“We demand the right to constructively engage with Government to ensure the community voice is heard and its concerns are taken on board. The least Mr Hide can do is front up to the people of Auckland who will be most affected by these radical changes and hear what we have to say about them, the good and the bad, before the proposed model is set in stone.”

The coalition is also calling on Waitakere MP Paula Bennett for her support in ensuring the community’s voice is heard by those in power.

“We know Paula is proud to be a ‘Westie’ and she has been very supportive of many of the community-based initiatives that Waitakere is renowned for,” says Mr Mayow.

“We are asking Paula to continue that support by adding her voice to ours. We need her now more than ever.”

Determined that it will continue to fight for a fair democratic process, the coalition met today to discuss options for further action.

“We won’t accept such a blatant disregard of our democratic rights,” Mr Mayow says. “And we don’t think other Auckland communities will either, now they are realising the devastating effect some of these changes will have on them. “

The coalition invites other concerned community organisations from around the Auckland region to join its group and add strength to its cause by emailing pam@communitywaitakere.org.nz

ENDS

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