MEDIA RELEASE

Auckland Agency must honour democratic processes
For immediate release on 23 May 2009

“The Auckland Governance Transition Agency is a transition agency, not an agency to re-litigate democratically-made decisions", President of Local Government New Zealand Lawrence Yule said today.

"Each of the current councils is bound by law and consultation requirements for much of what they do. The new Agency will undermine local democracy if it tries to re-do decisions which have been made with proper consultation with the community.

"We realise the Agency needs to have a close working relationship with the existing councils to work through transition arrangements and to sign off long-term financial commitments over $20,000. However, it will be wasteful for the Government if appointed people with no democratic responsibility are remaking decisions which councils have made.

"There is too much riding on Auckland to get it wrong. The changes to Auckland governance need to bring benefits to all Auckland citizens. The Chair will be a very influential position, with more implied powers than the Minister of Local Government. It is crucial that he and his team manage the transition process well. How this agency works will send clear signals about the future of local government in Auckland and how much local decisions are taken notice of.

“We expect the Agency take advantage of the existing knowledge and skills of elected members and staff in the current councils. All of these councils have established good rapport with their communities and understand local issues and priorities. It is important that this knowledge is not lost in process or else we will really have lost the “local” in local government”, said Mr Yule.

ENDS

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