… something for our Auckland constituents to think about……
As you are aware the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance is due to report in the next few months.
There have been strong efforts by the Auckland City Council and others to create a single super-city to govern the Auckland region, scrapping seven territorial authorities in the process. It would be the biggest piece of local government in New Zealand or Australia. A supersized Auckland would have 1.4 million and growing fast. According to reports the super council would have twenty community councils under its thumb.
Those in favour of this huge amalgamation talk about efficiencies, a united voice, one set of bureaucracy, one management team and one leadership for Auckland. It sounds great in theory – but there is a hidden snag that is carefully being avoided by the advocates of the super plan.
What do the people want? Has anybody asked them?
When Abraham Lincoln talked about government of the people by the people for the people he meant that the people should have their say.
We in New Zealand First have this old fashioned idea that in a democracy, any plan to tamper with the system of governance should be put to the people. That is why we are giving you an assurance here and now that we would not go along with any plan to amalgamate one city council with another unless the citizens agree with it.
It should be put to a vote.
Over the years we’ve heard various arguments about the problems caused by Auckland having a number of territorial authorities who bicker and squabble and nothing gets done. To an outsider, it seems this is an issue of personalities, egos and parochialism and a lack of will to cooperate rather than a problem of governance. The area also seems to lack the will and the vision to have a plan for the future that everyone agrees on.
Perhaps the discussion about the super-city will spark some serious thought about the future direction of this place and how it can become a better place to live for its people – rather than how convenient it is to govern.
The trouble with big bureaucracies is that after a while they forget they exist to serve the people – not the other way round. So let me assure you again – if the plan is to create this supersize city – you will have your say.
November 1st, 2008 at 7:02 am
I grew up in Ellerslie and I was quite young when it was one of the councils that amalgamated with Auckland to become one big council. It could be argued financially overall it was successful, I don’t know the stats, but certainly not in the area of non-financial governance. From what my parents have told me, there was a greater community spirit. Local issues could be addressed faster than having to go through the big bureaucracy of Auckland. All the elected representatives were local which kept them honest.
Anyway, I’m off to cast an advance vote because I won’t be in my electorate on election and party vote NZ First. At this stage I’m disgusted with how Labour and National are acting. That’s why I want you to decide who governs because I trust NZ First. I can’t say the same for any other party.
November 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
agreeed,
November 1st, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Super city?? The amalgamation of the different wards of the North Shore was touted as being a way to curtail costs- this has not been the experience of the ratepayers-
as a resident of Rodney I cannot see any advantage to us- it is time for the people to be given the opportunity to express their wishes.