7 April 2009 Media Statement

Government denies democracy, ramming through Auckland decisions without consultation

The Government is ramming through without consultation decisions on Auckland governance that will result in a huge centralisation of power in the new Auckland SuperCity, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

“The Government’s decisions completely remove the local from local government. Most Aucklanders will feel they have less access to their decision-makers. The boards which replace the local councils will have limited real powers and therefore relevance.

”The Government promised to strengthen local representation. Instead they have done the opposite, centralising all real power in one Auckland-wide council.”

Phil Goff said the decisions had been made without any consultation with Aucklanders, despite National’s campaign promise before the election to consult with Aucklanders on the Royal Commission’s findings.

“They have actually changed the Commission’s recommendations without any consultation. Aucklanders have been given no opportunity to have their voices heard on this.

“The election at large of almost half the councillors on the super council will not provide fair representation. In the past in Auckland City, before wards were introduced, councillors overwhelmingly came from one part of the city. The at large system will benefit the rich and famous and those with the resources to win votes from an electorate of 850,000 voters.

“This is actually all about vesting local government in the glass towers of Queen Street.”

Phil Goff said that the 12 wards will be large and unwieldy. “All 20 councillors should have been elected by wards so that all areas would be guaranteed fair representation. The whole set-up will disenfranchise the west and south of Auckland, but places like Remuera will be well served.

“We are also concerned at the concept of a super mayor with very few checks and balances on his or her power,” Phil Goff said.

“Over-concentration of power in the hands of a few people guts local democracy.”

ENDS

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