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It is the bane of lives south of the Bombay Hills but the words super city means a great deal to many JAFA's right now. Come Friday, the Auckland region's 1.4 million residents will have a much clearer idea of what the biggest local body reformation in 20 years will actually mean for them.
For thousands of ratepayers it will mean no longer being part of Greater Auckland. Boundary changes will see some communities aligned to other councils in the future. That is already raising eyebrows in communities like Puhoi, Warkworth and Waiuku where residents are questioning the logic and what it will mean for local services, roads and most importantly, rates.
There are plenty of questions too over the power of the region's first ever 'Super Mayor', how 20-30 community boards will meaningfully serve their communities and who will sit on Auckland's super council.
A Royal Commission and the government have called for a mix of at-large and ward based councillors. It now seems likely the new council will be comprised solely of ward based councillors.
That would certainly keep the "local" in local government. But it also has critics questioning whether this is simply 'more of the same' for a city that desperately needs fresh ideas and new blood if it is to ever truly compete with international cities like Sydney and Brisbane.
It is hardly surprising then that the Select Committee's recommendations on Auckland's future governance are keenly awaited in the City of Sails.
The committee travelled to Auckland and heard submissions first hand from around 800 Aucklanders concerned about the future of their city. Submitters ranged from high-powered lobbyists, urban planners and environmentalists to unpaid community workers who spend hours ensuring 'things get done' in the suburbs they call home.
A special sub-committee also travelled to Auckland marae for consultation with Maori.
Cases put forward by Maori for dedicated seats and from urban planners for the region to be left intact, have been largely ignored and it also seems certain other viewpoints will be lost, ignored or overlooked in the government's grand plan for Auckland.
Sure, not everyone can get what they want in such a massive reformation, but there is an overwhelming sense that much of what has already been decided in Wellington will not make for a better Auckland. There is also a lingering sense of unease that the lengthy consultation process was window dressing for change that was coming whether Aucklanders liked it or not. We will know the truth of that on Friday.
One thing that does seem certain for Auckland is the arrival of a central government style of politics.
Auckland has always had political factions on its councils but
observers say the super council will see those allegiances tied to
mainstream political parties. A step forward? Or a sign that the
new Auckland will be mired in the politics of the old one before
ratepayers can even say super city?"
Share your thoughts about the super city on the message
board below. Do you think it is a step forward or back? Are people
being listened to? Should Aucklanders just get over
it?
Add a Comment:
Post new commentnzealnader said on 2009-09-17 @ 19:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
We are Chinese community and our population is growing up every year. We would like to be in the super city council too. Why just Maori? We can help to deal with the big and small issues too. We would like to make Auckland more happy and modern. Kind regards
hene11 said on 2009-09-14 @ 22:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
The decision not to split Rodney was based on a meeting held on Saturday. The majority in attendance were people who permanently reside in Auckland and own holiday home in Omaha. That's Auckland for you.
drummer47 said on 2009-09-14 @ 17:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
So the Maori Party are willing to support National over the ETS for some small concessions for Maori but are now willing to tackle National on the issue of Maori representation in Auckland. Shame on the Maori party leaders for letting people down.
balancedue said on 2009-08-26 @ 18:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is racist. Why should we give seats in a council based purely on skin colour, not on what the entire population thinks? You so politically correct you are now politically incorrect.