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Auckland city - Source: ONE News -
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Two of Auckland's local councils have had their say on the proposed super city structure at the select committee hearing on Monday.
Auckland City and North Shore councils both had 45 minutes to state their case, while members of the general public have just 10 minutes.
Auckland Mayor John Banks and North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams presented their oral submissions to the committee.
Banks says the region has been waiting 100 years for Auckland to be represented by one body, but Williams does not want local communities pulled apart. He says the efficiency of the Auckland area as a whole should not be allowed to compromise communities.
Williams says he accepts the need for one council but disagrees with the details and wants the power of community boards entrenched in law.
Banks told Paul Henry on TVNZ's Breakfast programme that he wants to take charge as mayor of the new super city but he says he would like to see strong competition for the role.
Banks has been attending the select committee meetings and describes a "lot of squeaking from squeaking wheels", adding that this is an example of the democratic process working.
He acknowledges that this is the best opportunity for people in the region to have their say and says he doe not want to take away from that.
Banks says he expects to speak for about 10 minutes and will advocate for one unitary council, one bureaucracy, one mayor, one district plan, one set of regulations, one rates bill and one voice for Auckland.
The current mayor believes the super city has a critical role in lifting New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD and there is a need to "substantially lift Auckland's economic contribution and social wellbeing". Banks says an extra $75 billion will be needed over the next few years to improve Auckland's infrastructure, especially its roading, rail and public transport network. He sees this being funded through central and local government as well as private investment.
Banks says that as well as being a great place to live, Auckland needs to be an internationally competitive city with a heart and soul.
What do you think about the super city? Have your say on our messageboard.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentnztifosi said on 2009-09-04 @ 17:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
As a pakeha Aucklander I am very concerned that there will be no Maori seats - indeed I believe with such a diverse cultural mix there should also be room for Pacific or ethnic representation as well. Instead we are losing almost all meaningful representation in our city. As with the change to MMP - so should the supercity system go to a vote by all of Auckland - if not all of NZ. After all if they pass it here what is to stop them from deciding on a Southland or Wellington Supercity as well?
OneVoice said on 2009-07-14 @ 21:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
The new structure is still far from clear!. Are there going to be heads of main municipal functions appointed from the 20 councilors (like ministers in cetral govt) and each municipal function will be reposible for the greater Auckland regeon merged from the current seven different cities ?
AucklandAndrew said on 2009-07-14 @ 09:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
While co-ordination at a higher level is necessary, local governance should be grass-roots up, not top down. The proposal has fewer councilors per head of population than MPs, and the people who will be elected in will be the kinds of people who are rich and famous enough to get publicity, not the people who are right for Auckland - hardly democratic. Banks wants us to live off a loan from his rich buddies for the next 25 years, and pay them interest? No surprises there.
magrafil said on 2009-07-13 @ 22:55 NZDT: Report abusive post
bonds proposal interesting, whose going to invest, international funds will be wooed by US treasury notes (their unstable economy means potential for a bigger return), NZ investors surely don't have any money left after the property developers took their money and ran ... however, its a fairly good idea, interested he mentioned rail ... was that an anomoly, what Auckland authority actually wants to build transport infrastructure apart from motorways?
AnonymousJoe said on 2009-05-25 @ 16:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think that a Moari only seat is racist. Seriously, does this mean that Maori people are not allowed to run for the regular seats on the Council? Of Course not because that would be racist. I think this country needs to get a grip... If they want Maori representation on the Council... then Vote for a Maori Candidate. But heaven forbid we get democratic.