MEDIA RELEASE

Councils welcome Auckland governance report

For immediate release: 1 April, 2009

The proposed new structure for local government in Auckland provides a new business model that should deliver significant savings to the city’s ratepayers, Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman John Cronin says.

“The report’s key recommendation of a new, single unitary authority to replace Auckland Regional Council and the other seven councils is both positive and workable,” he said.

“While some criticisms have been made over the ability of local communities to make their voices heard under the proposed single Auckland Council model, major change in Auckland was due and the Royal Commission’s report provides the basis for that change.”

Chairman Cronin discussed the report at a meeting of four Regional Council chairs (Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty) yesterday.

These four Councils represent a vital part of the North Island and contribute significantly to the economy and wellbeing of the country, he said.

Regional councils around New Zealand would be studying the report and that should prompt them to consider whether a similar model could be applied elsewhere.

“Throughout New Zealand and within the Bay of Plenty, this new model or a modified version of it could deliver substantial financial savings to our ratepayers through improved efficiency without loss of democracy,” Chairman Cronin said.

“We in the Regions can’t afford to be left behind.”

Regional councils, and particularly the four that met yesterday, were a significant part of the New Zealand economy and would work closely with Central Government to support change that resulted in improved efficiency and effectiveness.

“We look forward to seeing how the Government decides to implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations and how the transition will be managed.”

Ends

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