Wide Support For Rodney To Stay Out Of Auckland – Mayor

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says she is getting strong support from right throughout the district on her Council’s wish to remain out of the new Auckland Council.

“Last night I even had a call from on of the country’s leading businessmen Alan Gibbs – who owns a farm on the Kaipara harbour. He was delighted that we are making a stand and said that he has never wanted Rodney to be part of Auckland.

“Alan is just one of numerous Rodney ratepayers and residents – from all around the district and right across the political spectrum – who are behind our Council’s stance.”

Mayor Webster says this should act as a pointed reminder to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide about how democracy actually works.

“He has being reported as saying there's little chance Parliament will consider letting the Rodney District exclude itself from the Auckland super city – but Rodney needs to understand that New Zealand is still a democracy and people want their views to be taken seriously by their Government.”

At an extraordinary meeting held yesterday afternoon, Rodney District Council voted to put up a local bill to the Government asking that Rodney remain outside the new Auckland Council’s jurisdiction and be constituted as a unitary authority.

“Our view has been consistent on this subject all along,” says Mrs Webster. “The Rodney district is predominantly comprised of small settlements and rural communities, requiring the resolution of a very different set of issues to those faced by metropolitan local authorities.

“We believe that the new Auckland Council will be better able to successfully address the complex problems facing metropolitan Auckland if the rural districts of Rodney and Franklin are left out of the Super City. “

Mrs Webster said the feedback from residents married with the findings of a Colmar Brunton survey of 1,200 Rodney residents last year which found that only 22% of residents want to be included in an Auckland Super City.

“It is clear the vast majority of Rodney ratepayers believe the proposed governance arrangements of the new Auckland Council will not adequately represent their needs and that is why they support our move to become a unitary authority.”

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