Media Release
16 July 2009

Manukau mayor delivers passionate submission

Today Manukau City Council, led by mayor Len Brown, presented its submission to the select committee on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill.

Mayor Len Brown said in his opening statement that he was pleased that the committee had come to the city to listen to the council and the people of Manukau voice their impassioned views on the proposed bill.

“I acknowledge there is a sense of loss from the community but we now have to embrace change and move forward.”

Mr Brown said he and the council supported one unitary authority but wanted strengthened local boards with the power and resources to implement local policy.

“We believe if you want strong buy-in from our communities this is what you can do for them, so they feel they are not losing their local voice and have a sense of going forward with the new structure.”

Mr Brown said the second tier of the new Auckland Council needs to be significantly strengthened and believed the term ‘community council’ would better describe their function and role.

“Local boards should be responsible for making local decisions as long as they align with the agreed regional plans. They should develop and implement local policy.”

“They also need sufficient budget and resources to allow them to be effective decision makers and deliver on the capital and operational needs of our communities.

“The issue of water and wastewater should be addressed by splitting the wholesale and retail water businesses. We think the split between wholesale and retail will ensure a degree of tension and transparency in decision making and enhance customer service.”

In closing Mr Brown said he wanted the committee to consider three things when bringing a new structure to Auckland.

“It should bring our people together, enhance local democracy and produce not only a world-class city but also world-class communities.”

The four main points covered during the mayor’s presentation to the select committee were:

Representation
• Supports stronger Auckland governance
• Supports the election, at large, of the mayor
• Supports the election of councillors on a ward basis – not at large
• No fewer than 20 ward-based councillors
Maori representation
• Supports direct Maori representation allowing their contribution to decision making
Local boards/community councils
• Empowered local community councils
• 12-17 community councils
Wastewater/water
• A split model – which promotes transparency and enhances customer service.

ENDS

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