The Auckland mayors have come up in favour of a plan to significantly rejig the local government structure in Auckland. The changes would involve:nassi 4.0 registration code

A Greater Auckland Council

• Chaired by a Lord Mayor elected at large.


• Council to include elected councillors, the Minister for Auckland Issues, business leaders, and others appointed by the government.


• Responsibilities would include rates, shared services, and various other regional facilities.


• The existing ARC would be abolished.

Three City Councils

• Including 10-12 councillors instead of 14-19 as at present.


• Replaces the existing 4 city councils, and 3 district councils.

While these changes may allow more co-ordination across Auckland, there are a number of things that concern me about this.nassi 4.0 registration code

Firstly, there is no plan to tackle any of the serious spending problems in the various councils at present (of which, Auckland City's are nicely documented at the Rates Watch website). There may be some savings due to council amalgamations, however, this just ignores the primary problem - that is, spending exceeds revenues excessively.nassi 4.0 registration code

Secondly, it concerns me that the greater Auckland council is not democratic. The Minister for Auckland Issues does not have a vote, but under this plan, some members of the council are appointed by the government, and others are "business leaders", presumably appointed by the government or the remainder of the council. The councils are supposed to represent the people of that area. They are not supposed to represent central government. Otherwise, it will just as much a joke as the DHBs.nassi 4.0 registration code

Thirdly, the current mayors have asked the government to postpone next years' local body elections for two years to allow this to be setup. This is simply unacceptable. Why should the public be denied their democratic opportunity because the existing councils want to change things up. A cynic would point out that as the existing councils are so unpopular, this is simply a mechanism to allow them to remain in power slightly longer.nassi 4.0 registration code

Fourthly, the mayors have decided not to submit this issue to referendum because it "could potentially derail the process" - i.e. they don't think ratepayers will be in favour but want to push it through anyway. This is a major local government reform, and I think it is simply unacceptable for the system to be massively changed without at least them campaigning on the issue next year.nassi 4.0 registration code

It's not often I agree with ARC chairman Mike Lee, but I like his closing comments: "Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee scoffed at the new title, saying the region needed attention on transport and not someone swanning around calling themselves Lord Mayor."nassi 4.0 registration code

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