AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

9 May 2006

Better local body representation for Aucklanders

A review to improve how Auckland City Council represents Aucklanders will begin this year and may result in changes to ward boundaries in the city.

The review ensures that as the city grows and changes the ratio of residents per councillor remains fair and equal.

All local authorities are required to undertake a representation review at least once every six years. Auckland City’s last review was in 2001, where no boundary changes occurred.

“We believe that current representation, or number of councillors, established in 1998 still adequately provides for communities of geographical interest and effective fair representation,” said Deputy Mayor and chairperson of the electoral committee, Dr Bruce Hucker.

Auckland City’s current structure includes:

o 19 councillors
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o 7 wards
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o 52 community board members
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o 10 community boards.
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“By law, the population of Hobson ward has increased beyond fair representation since 2001 and as a result council agrees it is preferable to adjust the ward boundaries and keep the number of councillors at the status quo,” said Dr Hucker.

Each councillor is required by law to represent between 20,150 – 24,627 people. The population of Hobson ward was estimated to be 84,500 in June 2005. The first stage of the review has produced six possible options to change the ward boundaries. These options affect the following wards: Hobson, Western Bays, Eden Albert, Tamaki-Maungakiekie and Eastern Bays.

Option 1
The Western Bays ward will be enlarged to Hobson Street, while the Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include Eden Terrace sector. The Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward will include One Tree Hill.
Option 2
The Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include Eden Terrace sector and part of Epsom south. The Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward will include One Tree Hill.
Option 3
The Western Bays ward will be enlarged to Hobson Street, while the Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include part of Epsom.
Option 4
The Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include Eden Terrace sector and part of Epsom.
Option 5
The Western Bays ward will be enlarged to Hobson Street, while the Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include Eden Terrace sector and Grafton. The Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward will include One Tree Hill area.
Option 6
The Eden-Albert ward will be enlarged to include Eden Terrace sector and Grafton. The Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward will include One Tree Hill area. The Tamaki-Maungakiekie ward will also be enlarged to include St John’s area from Eastern Bays, while the Eastern Bays ward to be enlarged to include Abbotts Park.

The process for the review spans several months:

o May – Information about the six options is available to the public
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o July – Consultation with Aucklanders on the preferred option. To have your say download a submission form from www.aucklandcity.govt.nz in July
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o September – Final representation arrangements and boundary changes are available to the public, which take into account the feedback from submissions. If you do not agree, you may object or appeal the decision
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o October – Any appeal/objection go to the Local Government Commission for the final decision
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o Early 2007 – Local Government Commission makes final decision.
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More information about the boundary changes and maps of the boundary changes can be found by visiting www.aucklandcity.govt.nz, or by visiting local libraries in affected areas, which will have display boards and fact sheets available later this week. The libraries include:

o Central library
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o Leys Institute, Ponsonby
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o Parnell Library
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o Epsom Library
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o Remuera Library
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o St Heliers Library
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o Glen Innes Library
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o Onehunga Library
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o Mt Roskill Library
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o Mt Albert Library
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o Grey Lynn Library.
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Ends

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