Auckland Council
Encyclopedia
The Auckland Council is the council
for the Auckland Region
in New Zealand
. It began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the existing regional council and the region's seven previous city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city" governed by a mayor, 20 members of the governing body and 148 members of 21 local boards. It is the largest council in Australasia, with a $3 billion annual budget, $29 billion of assets, and approximately 8,000 staff.
The Council was established by a number of Acts of Parliament, and an Auckland Transition Agency, also created by the central government. Both the means by which the Council was established and its structure came under repeated criticism from a broad spectrum during the establishment period.
The initial Council elections
in October 2010 returned a mostly centre-left
Council with Len Brown
as mayor.
and the region's seven city and district councils: Auckland City Council
, Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council and most of Franklin District Council
.
The Auckland Regional Council was formed in 1989, replacing the Auckland Regional Authority. One of the mainstays of its work was expanding the parks network, and it brought into the Auckland Council 26 regional parks with more than 40,000 hectares, including many restored natural habitats and sanctuaries developed in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and volunteers. A variety of often public transport-focused projects like the Northern Busway
as well as significant rail and public transport investments were realised through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, much of it supported by retaining Ports of Auckland
in public hands (after the deregulation of the Auckland Harbour Board) to fund the improvements with the dividends.
only having limited powers) were hindering Auckland's progress, and that a form of stronger regional government, or an amalgamation under one local authority
, would be beneficial. Others pointed to the fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics, with editorialists pointing out that the (supposedly mainly Wellington
ian) proponents of the 'super city' have carefully not made any promises of savings in light of past rises in rates and utilities bills.
In 2007, the government set up a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance
to report on what restructuring should be done. The report was released on March 27, 2009 and the government subsequently announced that a "super city" would be set up to include the full metropolitan area under an Auckland Council with a single mayor and 20-30 local boards, by the time of the local body elections in 2010, though it also changed some key recommendations of the Royal Commission.
should be integrated into the super city, or whether the new structure allows sufficient local democracy.
, in the opinion of critics like The New Zealand Herald
, has ignored concerns about this "powerlessness" of the local boards, though he argues that "local boards will engage like never before" and "represent their local communities and make decisions on local issues, activities and facilities".
It was also criticised that candidates for local boards would have to campaign without knowing the scope of the local board's financial resources, and that a salary for a local board member of around $37,100 was insufficient for what amounted to a full-time position.
and Rodney District
s have opposed their inclusion in the new supercity, and have instead campaigned for retention of their councils, or inclusion with other, more rural-focused councils in the north (such as merging the areas north of Puhoi
with the Kaipara District
area) or the south.
Perceptions are that these rural areas would receive very little benefit in terms of infrastructure for their rates money, and that they would be swallowed up by an Auckland that has different interests and character than their communities. Politicians like Rodney Hide have answered that inclusion is necessary to allow a regional approach to the wider interests of the region, and that tangible benefits would ensue for all of Auckland's communities. Also, it is argued that changing the boundaries now (early 2010) would have a domino effect on the restructuring of the ward system for the future Auckland councillors. In turn, the opponents of inclusion argue that big city developers prefer the inclusion of the rural areas in the Auckland Council boundaries to make development and new subdivision of rural land easier.
More serious criticism was centred around the fact that urban wards contained significantly more people than some rural wards (and thus received less influence in the future Council per person) and in regards to the small number of Councillors for all of Auckland (with fewer Councillors per head than Aucklanders have MPs representing them in Parliament), and the institution of two-member wards (meaning that contenders would have to field much larger and more costly election campaigns). Editorialist Brian Rudman
accused the Local Government Commission of attempted gerrymandering
in its draft proposal for one particular ward.
development) were to be devolved into council-controlled organisations (CCOs) controlled by unelected boards, operating at "arm's length" from Council. This separation, as argued by backers of the move, had become necessary due to "local politicians [having] failed to deliver the results expected of them."
The Government's plan to outsource the majority of Council's functions was decried by numerous people (including the main mayoral contenders, Len Brown, and to a lesser degree, John Banks) and groups across the political and societal spectrum – from the Auckland Regional Council
and many community boards, to Local Government New Zealand, and organisations considered to be National Party
-friendly such as the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Employers & Manufacturers Association. Supporters include the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, a right-wing think tank.
The introduction of Auckland Transport, the CCO for transport functions (with more than half the city's future rate spend), was discouraged even by the government's own Treasury and Department of Internal Affairs, as well as other departments.
The main proponents of the CCO system, Prime Minister John Key
, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport Minister Steven Joyce
, remained adamant about the introduction (and the appropriateness) of the system. Others like the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development called the claim that the mayor and Council would have no ability to hold the CCOs accountable "farcial nonsense".
The New Zealand Herald
, Auckland's largest newspaper, ran a series of articles and editorials in March 2010 criticising the proposed move, which was described as "The lockout of Auckland", arguing that elected councillors would have little control over the day to day decisions, and potentially even over massive changes such as Auckland's waterfront development or the city's transport focus. The main Herald editorials noted that the CCO concept introduced "undemocratic elements" in a number of ways, and "could not stand". They also noted that saddling the super city with this system would be the most serious handicap, and a recipe for a "frustrated and disappointed citizenry".
Several editorialists went even further and accused the ACT party, and especially Rodney Hide, of preparing Auckland's assets for a sell-off, and of setting up the structure to allow it even before Aucklanders get to vote on the matter – all under the guise of a "manufactured crisis". Others, while criticising the lack of democratic oversight, dismissed concerns about asset sales, noting that amalgamation was likely to result in surplus real estate.
The Sunday Star-Times
noted in an editorial that "we'll merely end up trading in political dysfunction for a quasi-commercial dysfunction forced on us by the National-led government." It also criticised, in the case of Auckland Transport, that with most of the expertise, staff and planning ability being held in the "semi-autonomous" CCO, Council would not have the central planning and policy role as claimed by the proponents of the system, but would instead have to share (or compete for) this role with Auckland Transport. It also argued that the Royal Commission suggested a strong Council and subservient CCOs, not vice versa.
New Zealand Local Government magazine followed the story, and criticised the lack of transparency that would ensue from establishing independent CCOs.
The changes were seen as a potential "neutering" the power of the new Auckland Mayor to implement the policies on which he would be elected. Further criticised were lack of accountability of the proposed CCOs, which would not have to hold public board meetings, or provide agendas or minutes. Groups like 'Heart of the City' (the Auckland CBD
business association) also called for stronger oversight and mayoral powers over the CCOs.
This was later dropped from the relevant establishing laws. However, it later became clear that instead, the city's new Māori Statutory Board, appointed by the Maori Affairs Department, would receive "broadly ordained powers". These include the right to send one or two delegates, with full voting powers, to any council committee meeting and dealing with "the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources". This unelected representation of Māori on committees voting on matters such as transport or infrastructure, as well as the fact that the advisory board requested (and initially received) a $3.4 million yearly budget (called "exorbitant" by some), created significant public concern and debate.
. However when the Minister for the Rugby World Cup, Murray McCully
, took control of the Rugby World Cup
fan area on the Auckland waterfront in 2011 without first notifying mayor Len Brown
, columnist John Armstrong declared the myth finished.
The mayor is directly elected by voters living in the Auckland Council area every three years by postal ballot using the first-past-the-post
system. Len Brown is the current Mayor of Auckland, winning the first election, which ended on Saturday 9 October 2010. The second election is due to finish on Saturday 12 October 2013.
As of 7 March 2011, the following people serve as councillors on the Auckland Council:
Michael Redman, formerly mayor, then chief executive of Hamilton City Council, was chief executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development from November 2010 to October 2011.
of the new Council by the Auckland Transition Agency. The 54-year-old was selected ahead of 27 other candidates, which apparently included several existing council chief executives. He has no experience in local government, but is described as having strong Auckland ties, and 30 years' corporate experience. He is to receive a salary of $675,000 and an incentive bonus of $67,500.
The choice was criticised by an editorial in the New Zealand Herald, arguing that McKay's previous tenure in the liquor industry was marked by anti-union behaviour that he did not object to, and by strong advertising of alcohol to the youth market. Compared to this, the editorial argues, the fact that McKay is to be paid three times the salary of the Prime Minister, has had no local government or non-profit experience and was selected by an unelected transition authority, were all to be expected, seeing the lead-up to the new Council.
Mayoral candidates John Banks and Len Brown were positive about his appointment, Len Brown noting McKay's business and restructuring experience was a "good fit", and would help improve economic performance as well as build links with businesses.
It is intended that the Auckland Council, as one of the major tasks of its first years, will prepare a "spatial plan" to guide Auckland's growth. This plan will cover matters such as the limits of residential development and the zoning and densities of the suburbs and areas, and will assess how elements like transport and land use are to be linked. It is intended to be one of the main documents out of which a unified District Plan
will eventually grow. Some critics have noted that this spatial plan will need years to develop and CCOs would fill the policy vacuum in the meantime. Apart from conflicting with Council's plans, this might also pit CCOs against each other.
After the first round of plan development and public consultation, the draft plan was launched mid 2011. Commentators noted that one of the strongest discrepancies between Auckland Council's vision for Auckland and that of the John Key-led Wellington government was that the draft Auckland Plan envisaged a more contained growth (combatting sprawl
by having 75% of population growth occur in existing settlement areas), while National is more favourable of relaxing constraints on new greenfield
s development.
Long Term Council Community Plan
The first Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), the longer-term financial budget of the city, will not be produced until July 2012. Until that time, longer-term finances will be decided by the Council, guided by the existing LTCCPs of the subsumed bodies.
City Centre and Waterfront Plans
Another big focus of the planning work in the first year of the Council is planning for the Auckland CBD
(now called 'City Centre') and the Auckland Waterfront
. Including the proposed CBD rail tunnel
, these two transformations are costed at approximately $5.5 billion over 20 years. Projects proposed in the draft plans include partial or full pedestrianisation of a number of city centre streets, light rail possibilities for the Waterfront and Queen Street, turning Nelson and Hobson Street from wide one-way roads into two-way roads with more trees and urban amenity, and a waterfront walk- and cycleway.
As of 2011, 24% of Council's money was spent on "Art services and galleries, events, museums, parks, recreation facilities and the zoo", while 22% was spent on "transport management". Further big elements were "Planning and regulation" at 14.5% and "Community services, libraries, emergency management and cemeteries" at 11.5%.
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
for the Auckland Region
Auckland Region
The Auckland Region was one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, named for the city of Auckland, the country's largest urban area. With one third of the nation's residents, it was by far the biggest population and economy of any region of New Zealand, but the second-smallest land area.On 1...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the existing regional council and the region's seven previous city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city" governed by a mayor, 20 members of the governing body and 148 members of 21 local boards. It is the largest council in Australasia, with a $3 billion annual budget, $29 billion of assets, and approximately 8,000 staff.
The Council was established by a number of Acts of Parliament, and an Auckland Transition Agency, also created by the central government. Both the means by which the Council was established and its structure came under repeated criticism from a broad spectrum during the establishment period.
The initial Council elections
Auckland local elections, 2010
The Auckland local elections, 2010 took place from 17 September until 9 October and were conducted by postal vote. The elections were the first since the merger of the seven councils and elected the new Auckland Council, composed of the mayor, 20 members of the Governing Body, and 149 members of 21...
in October 2010 returned a mostly centre-left
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
Council with Len Brown
Len Brown
Len Brown is the Mayor of Auckland in New Zealand and the head of the Auckland Council. He won the 2010 Auckland mayoral election on 9 October 2010 and was sworn in as Mayor of Auckland on 1 November 2010, being the first to hold that title for the amalgamated Auckland 'Super City'...
as mayor.
Predecessors
The Auckland Council took over the functions of the Auckland Regional CouncilAuckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
and the region's seven city and district councils: Auckland City Council
Auckland City Council
Auckland City Council was the local government authority representing Auckland City, New Zealand, and was amalgamated into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010. It was an elected body representing the 404,658 residents of the city...
, Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council and most of Franklin District Council
Franklin District
The territorial authority of Franklin District was abolished on 31 October 2010 and was divided between Auckland Council in the Auckland Region to the north and Waikato and Hauraki districts in the Waikato Region to the south and east. It was administered from the town of Pukekohe...
.
The Auckland Regional Council was formed in 1989, replacing the Auckland Regional Authority. One of the mainstays of its work was expanding the parks network, and it brought into the Auckland Council 26 regional parks with more than 40,000 hectares, including many restored natural habitats and sanctuaries developed in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and volunteers. A variety of often public transport-focused projects like the Northern Busway
Northern Busway, Auckland
thumb|Passengers boarding a [[MAXX Regional Transport]] Northern Express service operated by [[Ritchies Coachlines]].The Northern Busway is a physically separated busway with dedicated park & ride facilities along State Highway 1 in the north of Auckland, New Zealand, linking the North Shore with...
as well as significant rail and public transport investments were realised through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, much of it supported by retaining Ports of Auckland
Ports of Auckland
Ports of Auckland Limited , the successor to the Auckland Harbour Board, is the company administering Auckland's commercial freight and cruise ship harbour facilities...
in public hands (after the deregulation of the Auckland Harbour Board) to fund the improvements with the dividends.
Royal Commission
Until 2010, the Auckland Region had seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority. In the late 2000s, New Zealand's central government and parts of Auckland's society felt that this large number of Councils, and the lack of strong regional government (with the Auckland Regional CouncilAuckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
only having limited powers) were hindering Auckland's progress, and that a form of stronger regional government, or an amalgamation under one local authority
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
, would be beneficial. Others pointed to the fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics, with editorialists pointing out that the (supposedly mainly Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
ian) proponents of the 'super city' have carefully not made any promises of savings in light of past rises in rates and utilities bills.
In 2007, the government set up a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance
Royal Commission on Auckland Governance
The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance was established by the New Zealand Government to investigate the local government arrangements of Auckland....
to report on what restructuring should be done. The report was released on March 27, 2009 and the government subsequently announced that a "super city" would be set up to include the full metropolitan area under an Auckland Council with a single mayor and 20-30 local boards, by the time of the local body elections in 2010, though it also changed some key recommendations of the Royal Commission.
Unimplemented recommendations
Some recommendations of the Royal Commission which have not been adopted or implemented:- 6A The Auckland Council should include a vision for the region in its spatial plan.
- 6B The Mayor of Auckland’s annual "State of the Region" address should describe progress towards the attainment of the vision.
- 19C: "Leadership support and development programmes for elected councillors should be strengthened."
- 21D: Auckland Council CCOs and their statements of intent should be subject to performance review by the proposed Auckland Services Performance Auditor.
- 21A 22A Two Māori members should be elected to the Auckland Council by voters who are on the parliamentary Māori Electoral Roll.
- 22B There should be a Mana Whenua Forum, the members of which will be appointed by mana whenua from the district of the Auckland Council.
- 22D The Auckland Council should ensure that each local council has adequate structures in place to enable proper engagement with Māori and consideration of their views in the local councils’ decision-making processes. Where appropriate, current structures and/or memoranda of understanding should be transferred to local councils.
- 24F Auckland Council should consider creating an Urban Development Agency, to operate at the direction of the Auckland Council, with compulsory acquisition powers.
- The Auckland Council should determine the extent to which responsibilities for the delivery of stormwater services are shared between local councils and Watercare Services Limited.
- 26I Watercare Services Limited should be required by legislation to promote demand management.
- 26M Watercare Services Limited should be required to prepare a stormwater action plan.
- 27D The Auckland Council should prepare an e-government strategy as an intrinsic part of its proposed unified service delivery and information systems plan.
- 28A The Auckland Council should work closely with consumers, the industry, and central government agencies to develop a climate change and energy strategy for the region, including monitoring and reviewing electricity security of supply performance, and industry planning and regulation impacting the Auckland region.
- 30A The Auckland Council should develop a Regional Waste Management Strategy, including strategies for management of organic waste and integration of waste management with other environmental programmes.
- 32F To promote the widespread adoption of the unified service delivery framework the Auckland Council should
- a) give Auckland Council CCOs providing council services the opportunity to share the unified service facilities if they wish.
- b) require Auckland Council CCOs providing council services to adopt the council’s ICT infrastructure standards.
- 32G A statutory position of an independent Auckland Services Performance Auditor (to be appointed by the elected Auckland Council on the joint recommendation of the Chair of the Commerce Commission and the Auditor-General) should be created to provide assurance to the council and the public that the Auckland Council is providing high-quality services in a cost-effective way. The role of the Performance Auditor will include
- a) reviewing the adequacy and relevance of CCO performance targets.
- b) protecting the consumer’s interests and advocating for them in respect of the reliability and affordability of council services. This will include reviewing services in terms of established customer service standards.
- c) in the case of Watercare Services Limited, undertaking three-yearly efficiency and effectiveness reviews, incorporating international comparative industry benchmarking and an evaluation of service levels, efficiency, affordability of water, and demand management performance.
Legislation
The Council was set up by three pieces of legislation, the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009, the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010.Controversies
Many aspects of the reorganisation are contentious, such whether all of the Auckland RegionAuckland Region
The Auckland Region was one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, named for the city of Auckland, the country's largest urban area. With one third of the nation's residents, it was by far the biggest population and economy of any region of New Zealand, but the second-smallest land area.On 1...
should be integrated into the super city, or whether the new structure allows sufficient local democracy.
Local board powers
Many critics have argued that there was little space for "local" democracy in the new "local government" setup for Auckland, with the proposed "local boards" having little power, such as having no funding or staff of their own, and being forbidden from undertaking numerous government roles, especially where those roles might clash with regional functions such as transport or utilities. Local Government Minister Rodney HideRodney Hide
Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...
, in the opinion of critics like The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
- External links :* * *...
, has ignored concerns about this "powerlessness" of the local boards, though he argues that "local boards will engage like never before" and "represent their local communities and make decisions on local issues, activities and facilities".
It was also criticised that candidates for local boards would have to campaign without knowing the scope of the local board's financial resources, and that a salary for a local board member of around $37,100 was insufficient for what amounted to a full-time position.
Inclusion of rural areas
Numerous residents of and (to some degree) the councils of the FranklinFranklin District
The territorial authority of Franklin District was abolished on 31 October 2010 and was divided between Auckland Council in the Auckland Region to the north and Waikato and Hauraki districts in the Waikato Region to the south and east. It was administered from the town of Pukekohe...
and Rodney District
Rodney District
The Rodney District of New Zealand was a local government area in the northernmost part in New Zealand's Auckland Region, created in 1989 from the amalgamation of Helensville Borough and Rodney County. The seat of the district council is at Orewa, and the district includes Kawau Island to the...
s have opposed their inclusion in the new supercity, and have instead campaigned for retention of their councils, or inclusion with other, more rural-focused councils in the north (such as merging the areas north of Puhoi
Puhoi
Puhoi is a settlement located approximately 50 km north of Auckland, New Zealand. Puhoi is probably a Maori word which may be translated as "Slow water"....
with the Kaipara District
Kaipara District
-Geography:Kaipara District is located in the low hills around the northern shores of the Kaipara Harbour, a large natural harbour open to the Tasman Sea...
area) or the south.
Perceptions are that these rural areas would receive very little benefit in terms of infrastructure for their rates money, and that they would be swallowed up by an Auckland that has different interests and character than their communities. Politicians like Rodney Hide have answered that inclusion is necessary to allow a regional approach to the wider interests of the region, and that tangible benefits would ensue for all of Auckland's communities. Also, it is argued that changing the boundaries now (early 2010) would have a domino effect on the restructuring of the ward system for the future Auckland councillors. In turn, the opponents of inclusion argue that big city developers prefer the inclusion of the rural areas in the Auckland Council boundaries to make development and new subdivision of rural land easier.
Ward sizes and boundaries
Several editorialists have criticised the size and composition of wards for the election of Auckland Council councillors. The criticism ranges from the wards being too big (and thus throwing together communities with few common interests), to some ward boundary lines being drawn against the local understanding of what constituted their community.More serious criticism was centred around the fact that urban wards contained significantly more people than some rural wards (and thus received less influence in the future Council per person) and in regards to the small number of Councillors for all of Auckland (with fewer Councillors per head than Aucklanders have MPs representing them in Parliament), and the institution of two-member wards (meaning that contenders would have to field much larger and more costly election campaigns). Editorialist Brian Rudman
Brian Rudman
Brian Rudman is a journalist and regular editorial contributor to The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand's largest daily newspaper. He has his own column, 'Rudman's City', where he mainly focuses on issues relating to Auckland , its growth, public projects, policies and politicians...
accused the Local Government Commission of attempted gerrymandering
Gerrymandering
In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, incumbent-protected districts...
in its draft proposal for one particular ward.
Council-controlled organisations
In early 2010 a further dispute emerged. As set out in the third bill establishing the future Auckland Council, major functions (such as transport, water services and Auckland waterfrontAuckland waterfront
The Auckland waterfront is a city-side stretch of the southern Waitemata Harbour coastline in Auckland City, New Zealand...
development) were to be devolved into council-controlled organisations (CCOs) controlled by unelected boards, operating at "arm's length" from Council. This separation, as argued by backers of the move, had become necessary due to "local politicians [having] failed to deliver the results expected of them."
The Government's plan to outsource the majority of Council's functions was decried by numerous people (including the main mayoral contenders, Len Brown, and to a lesser degree, John Banks) and groups across the political and societal spectrum – from the Auckland Regional Council
Auckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
and many community boards, to Local Government New Zealand, and organisations considered to be National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
-friendly such as the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Employers & Manufacturers Association. Supporters include the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, a right-wing think tank.
The introduction of Auckland Transport, the CCO for transport functions (with more than half the city's future rate spend), was discouraged even by the government's own Treasury and Department of Internal Affairs, as well as other departments.
The main proponents of the CCO system, Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport Minister Steven Joyce
Steven Joyce
Steven Leonard Joyce is a New Zealand politician, who entered the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2008 as a member of the New Zealand National Party...
, remained adamant about the introduction (and the appropriateness) of the system. Others like the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development called the claim that the mayor and Council would have no ability to hold the CCOs accountable "farcial nonsense".
The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
- External links :* * *...
, Auckland's largest newspaper, ran a series of articles and editorials in March 2010 criticising the proposed move, which was described as "The lockout of Auckland", arguing that elected councillors would have little control over the day to day decisions, and potentially even over massive changes such as Auckland's waterfront development or the city's transport focus. The main Herald editorials noted that the CCO concept introduced "undemocratic elements" in a number of ways, and "could not stand". They also noted that saddling the super city with this system would be the most serious handicap, and a recipe for a "frustrated and disappointed citizenry".
Several editorialists went even further and accused the ACT party, and especially Rodney Hide, of preparing Auckland's assets for a sell-off, and of setting up the structure to allow it even before Aucklanders get to vote on the matter – all under the guise of a "manufactured crisis". Others, while criticising the lack of democratic oversight, dismissed concerns about asset sales, noting that amalgamation was likely to result in surplus real estate.
The Sunday Star-Times
The Sunday Star-Times
The Sunday Star-Times is a New Zealand newspaper published each weekend by the Fairfax group in Auckland. It covers both national and international news, and is a member of the New Zealand Press Association and Newspaper Publishers Association of New Zealand.-History:The Sunday Star-Times was first...
noted in an editorial that "we'll merely end up trading in political dysfunction for a quasi-commercial dysfunction forced on us by the National-led government." It also criticised, in the case of Auckland Transport, that with most of the expertise, staff and planning ability being held in the "semi-autonomous" CCO, Council would not have the central planning and policy role as claimed by the proponents of the system, but would instead have to share (or compete for) this role with Auckland Transport. It also argued that the Royal Commission suggested a strong Council and subservient CCOs, not vice versa.
New Zealand Local Government magazine followed the story, and criticised the lack of transparency that would ensue from establishing independent CCOs.
The changes were seen as a potential "neutering" the power of the new Auckland Mayor to implement the policies on which he would be elected. Further criticised were lack of accountability of the proposed CCOs, which would not have to hold public board meetings, or provide agendas or minutes. Groups like 'Heart of the City' (the Auckland CBD
Auckland CBD
The Auckland CBD is the geographical and economic heart of the Auckland metropolitan area. Bounded by several major motorways and by the harbour coastline in the north, it is surrounded further out by mostly suburban areas...
business association) also called for stronger oversight and mayoral powers over the CCOs.
Unelected Māori representation
One of the proposals that was hotly criticised by some during the initial Royal Commission proposal was the provision of elected Māori members of the Council (analogous to the Māori seat representation in Parliament).This was later dropped from the relevant establishing laws. However, it later became clear that instead, the city's new Māori Statutory Board, appointed by the Maori Affairs Department, would receive "broadly ordained powers". These include the right to send one or two delegates, with full voting powers, to any council committee meeting and dealing with "the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources". This unelected representation of Māori on committees voting on matters such as transport or infrastructure, as well as the fact that the advisory board requested (and initially received) a $3.4 million yearly budget (called "exorbitant" by some), created significant public concern and debate.
Mayor
The Mayor of Auckland has significant executive powers, their own staff and the ability to appoint the chairpersons of the Council's boards. Some columnists said in 2010 that the post was the second most powerful public position in New Zealand after the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
. However when the Minister for the Rugby World Cup, Murray McCully
Murray McCully
Murray Stuart McCully is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Minister for the Rugby World Cup.-Early life:...
, took control of the Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
fan area on the Auckland waterfront in 2011 without first notifying mayor Len Brown
Len Brown
Len Brown is the Mayor of Auckland in New Zealand and the head of the Auckland Council. He won the 2010 Auckland mayoral election on 9 October 2010 and was sworn in as Mayor of Auckland on 1 November 2010, being the first to hold that title for the amalgamated Auckland 'Super City'...
, columnist John Armstrong declared the myth finished.
The mayor is directly elected by voters living in the Auckland Council area every three years by postal ballot using the first-past-the-post
First-past-the-post
First-past-the-post voting refers to an election won by the candidate with the most votes. The winning potato candidate does not necessarily receive an absolute majority of all votes cast.-Overview:...
system. Len Brown is the current Mayor of Auckland, winning the first election, which ended on Saturday 9 October 2010. The second election is due to finish on Saturday 12 October 2013.
Governing body
The governing body of the Auckland Council consists of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and 19 other members. The members of the governing body are elected from thirteen wards across the Council area using the first-past-the-post system every three years at the same time as the mayor.As of 7 March 2011, the following people serve as councillors on the Auckland Council:
| Name | Ward | Affiliation (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Anae Arthur Anae Arthur Anae is a New Zealand politician who currently serves on the Manukau City Council. He was an MP from 1996 to 1999, and again from 2000 to 2002... |
Manukau | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Cameron Brewer Cameron Brewer Cameron Brewer is a New Zealand politician who is currently an Auckland Councillor.Between 2005 and 2010 he was the chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.-Political career:... |
Orakei | Independent |
| Cathy Casey Cathy Casey -Early years:Casey moved to New Zealand from Scotland in 1987.She taught at Kuranui College and served on the board of trustees. Between 2001 and 2004 she worked at AUT University.Casey is the partner of Matt McCarten.-Political career:... |
Albert-Eden-Roskill | City Vision |
| Sandra Coney Sandra Coney Sandra Lorraine Coney, QSO is a New Zealand feminist and women's health campaigner who is currently an Auckland Councillor.-Activist career:... |
Waitakere | Best For The West |
| Alf Filipaina Alf Filipaina -Political career:Filipaina was a Manukau City Councillor.In the 2010 Auckland Council elections Filipaina was elected from the Manukau ward.-Family:... |
Manukau | Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... |
| Christine Fletcher Christine Fletcher Christine Fletcher, QSO is an Auckland Council councillor and also prominent for her former New Zealand politics positions, both in Parliament and as Mayor of Auckland City. She was the second woman to serve as mayor of Auckland... |
Albert-Eden-Roskill | Citizens & Ratepayers |
| Michael Goudie Michael Goudie -Political career:In 2007 Goudie was the youngest ever councillor elected to the Rodney District Council.In the 2010 Auckland Council elections Goudie was elected from the Albany ward.-References:... |
Albany | Independent |
| Ann Hartley Ann Hartley Margaret Ann Hartley known as Ann Hartley is a former New Zealand member of parliament, a former Mayor of North Shore City, and a member of the Labour Party.-Early years:... |
North Shore | Shore Voice |
| Penny Hulse Penny Hulse -Political career:Hulse, born in South Africa, began her career in 1992 when she was elected to the Waitakere Community Board. In 1955 she was elected to the Waitakere City Council. She was made deputy mayor in 2007 by Bob Harvey.... |
Waitakere | Independent |
| Mike Lee Mike Lee (New Zealand politician) Michael Lee is a councillor on the Auckland Council and the former chairman of the Auckland Regional Council, both in Auckland, New Zealand... |
Waitemata and Gulf | Independent |
| Des Morrison Des Morrison -Political career:Morrison was a Franklin District Councillor between 2004 and 2010.In the 2010 Auckland Council elections Morrison was elected as the member for the Franklin ward.-References:... |
Franklin | Citizens & Ratepayers |
| Richard Northey Richard Northey Richard John Northey, ONZM is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1990, and again from 1993 to 1996. He currently serves on the Auckland Council, and is a member of the Labour Party.-Member of Parliament:... |
Maungakiekie-Tamaki | Labour |
| Calum Penrose Calum Penrose -Political career:In 2007 Penrose was elected the Mayor of Papakura, defeating incumbent John Robertson.In the 2010 Auckland Council elections Penrose won a seat in the Manurewa-Papakura ward standing under the Manurewa-Papakura First Action ticket.... |
Manurewa-Papakura | Manurewa-Papakura First Action |
| Dick Quax Dick Quax Theodorus Jacobus Leonardus "Dick" Quax is a New Zealand runner and former world record holder in the 5000 metres. He stood for Parliament with the ACT Party in 1999 and 2002... |
Howick | Citizens & Ratepayers |
| Noelene Raffills Noelene Raffills -Political career:Between 2000 and 2010 she was a councillor on the Auckland City Council.In the 2010 Auckland Council elections Raffills won the seat in the Whau ward.-External links:*... |
Whau | Citizens & Ratepayers |
| Sharon Stewart Sharon Stewart -Political career:She was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 1998 for services to Howick.Stewart served on the Manukau City Council for twelve years, between 1998 and 2010.... |
Howick | Independent |
| Sir John Walker | Manurewa-Papakura | Independent |
| Wayne Walker Wayne Walker (politician) -Political career:In 2000 Walker was elected to the Rodney District Council. He was reelected in 2007 by just one vote. stuff.co.nz, 13 November 2007 He is regarded as a green politician.... |
Albany | Putting People First |
| Penny Webster Penny Webster Penny Webster is a councillor on the Auckland Council and former mayor of Rodney District, Auckland, New Zealand. As mayor of Rodney she headed one of the six main local government entities generally considered as making up the Auckland metropolitan area , with her district being the... |
Rodney | Independent |
| George Wood George Wood (New Zealand) George Sydney Wood, CNZM, is a former Mayor of North Shore City, New Zealand’s fourth largest city. He was the first North Shore Mayor to be elected for a third term since the city was formed in 1989... |
North Shore | Citizens & Ratepayers |
Local boards
| Name | Ward | Members (subdivision) |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Eden Local Board | Albert-Eden-Roskill | Pauline Anderson (Focus Local, Owairaka Owairaka - to the north-east - to the east - to the south-east - to the south-west - to the west - to the north-west | Mount Albert Morningside Sandringham Wesley New Windsor... ) Helga Arlington (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... , Owairaka) Lee Corrick (Citizens & Ratepayers, Maungawhau) Graeme Easte (City Vision, Owairaka) Peter Haynes (City Vision, Maungawhau) Simon Mitchell (City Vision, Maungawhau) Margi Watson (City Vision, Owairaka) Tim Woolfield (Citizens & Ratepayers, Maungawhau) |
| Devonport-Takapuna Local Board | North Shore | Dianne Hale (Shore Voice) Chris Darby (Shore Voice) Kevin Schwass (Shore Voice) Mike Cohen (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Jan O'Connor (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Joseph Bergin (Shore Voice) |
| Franklin Local Board | Franklin | Andrew Baker (Citizens & Ratepayers, Pukekohe Pukekohe Pukekohe is a town in the Auckland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located at the southern edge of the Auckland Region, it is approximately 50 kilometres south of Auckland City, between the southern shore of the Manukau Harbour and the mouth of the Waikato River. The hills of Pukekohe... ) Bill Cashmore (Citizens & Ratepayers, Wairoa Wairoa Wairoa is a town in New Zealand's North Island. It is the northernmost town in the Hawke's Bay region, and is located on the northern shore of Hawke Bay at the mouth of the Wairoa River and to the west of Mahia Peninsula... ) Lance Gedge (Independent, Wairoa) Murray Kay (Citizens & Ratepayers, Pukekohe) Daniel Lynch (Independent, Waiuku Waiuku Waiuku is a country town in the Franklin District, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the Waiuku River, which is an estuarial arm of the Manukau Harbour... ) Paul Muir (Team Franklin, Pukekohe) Jill Naysmith (Citizens & Ratepayers, Waiuku) Magan Ranchhod (Citizens & Ratepayers, Pukekohe) Jan Sinclair (Citizens & Ratepayers, Wairoa) |
| Great Barrier Local Board | Waitemata and Gulf | Scott Mabey (Independent) Isabel Fordham (Independent) Susan Daly (Independent) Paul Downie (Independent) Richard Somerville-Ryan (Independent) |
| Henderson-Massey Local Board | Waitakere | Vanessa Neeson (Independent) Ross Dallow (Independent) Warren Flaunty (Independent) Brenda Brady (Independent) Peter Chan (Henderson Massey Residents Group) Tracy Kirkley (Independent) Assid Corban Assid Corban Assid Khaleel Corban OBE JP is a politician and company director. He was the first Mayor of Waitakere and previously Mayor of the Henderson Borough Council.-Political career:... (Independent) Leo Nobilo (Independent) |
| Hibiscus and Bays Local Board | Albany | David Cooper (Putting People First, East Coast Bays East Coast Bays East Coast Bays is the collective name for a series of small suburbs of North Shore City, in the Auckland metropolitan area of New Zealand, which line the northeast coast of the city along the shore of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Channel... ) Gaye Harding (Independent, Hibiscus Coast Hibiscus Coast The Hibiscus Coast is a stretch of the Hauraki Gulf coast located in New Zealand's Rodney District, 10 minutes north of the former North Shore City by car. It contains the northernmost part of the Auckland metropolitan area.... ) Gary Holmes (Independent, East Coast Bays) John Kirikiri (Proudly Independent, Hibiscus Coast) Julia Parfitt (Proudly Independent, East Coast Bays) Greg Sayers (Independent, Hibiscus Coast) John Watson (Putting People First, Hibiscus Coast) Lisa Whyte (Shore Voice, East Coast Bays) |
| Howick Local Board | Howick | David Collings (Residents & Ratepayers) (Pakuranga Pakuranga Pakuranga is an eastern suburb of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. Pakuranga covers a series of low ridges and previously swampy flats, now drained, that lie between the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River, two estuarial arms of the Hauraki Gulf... ) Jim Donald (Howickian Team) (Howick Howick, New Zealand Howick is an eastern suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, forming part of what is sometimes called East Auckland. Due to the relatively numerous remaining heritage buildings and other historical remnants from its early European settlement past, it has been called "perhaps Auckland's most historically... ) Wayne Huang (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Botany Botany Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses... ) Lucy Schwaner (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Botany) John Spiller (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Howick) Sharon Stewart (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Howick) Steve Udy (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Pakuranga) Shirley Warren (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Pakuranga Pakuranga Pakuranga is an eastern suburb of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. Pakuranga covers a series of low ridges and previously swampy flats, now drained, that lie between the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River, two estuarial arms of the Hauraki Gulf... ) Michael Williams (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Botany) |
| Kaipatiki Local Board | North Shore | Grant Gillon Grant Gillon Grant Gillon is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of parliament between 1996 and 2002, representing the Alliance Party.-Career:Gillon's political career began when he joined the Democratic Party... (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Ann Hartley Ann Hartley Margaret Ann Hartley known as Ann Hartley is a former New Zealand member of parliament, a former Mayor of North Shore City, and a member of the Labour Party.-Early years:... (Shore Voice) Vivienne Keohane (Independent (politician) Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) John Gillon (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Nick Kearney (North Now) Lindsay Waugh (Shore Voice) Kaye McIntyre (Shore Voice) Richard Hills (Shore Voice) |
| Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board | Manukau | Carrol Elliott (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) Tafafuna'i Lauese (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) Christine O'Brien (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) Leau Skelton (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) Lydia Sosene (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) Sylvia Taylor (Residents & Ratepayers) Walter Togiamua (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) |
| Manurewa Local Board | Manurewa-Papakura | Colleen Brown (Team Manurewa) George Hawkins George Warren Hawkins George Warren Hawkins is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Hawkins was born in 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden. He attended Dominion Road Primary School, Mount Albert Grammar School and then Auckland Teachers' College.-Papakura:Hawkins was a... (Manurewa Action Team) Daniel Newman (Manurewa Action Team) Ken Penney (Manurewa Action Team) Angela Dalton (Manurewa Action Team) Angela Cunningham-Marino (Manurewa Action Team) Toa Greening (Team Manurewa) Michael Bailey (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) |
| Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board is one of the 21 local boards of the Auckland Council, which replaced Auckland's eight councils on 1 November 2010.... |
Maungakiekie-Tamaki | Leila Boyle (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) (Tamaki Tamaki, New Zealand Tamaki is a small suburb of the city of Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located in the east of the city, 11 kilometres from the city centre, by the banks of the estuarial Tamaki River, which is a southern arm of the Hauraki Gulf... ) Alan Verrall (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) (Tamaki) Josephine Bartley (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) (Tamaki) Chris Makorae (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) (Tamaki) Simon Randall (Maungakiekie Team)(Maungakiekie) Bridget Graham (Maungakiekie Team) (Maungakiekie) Brett Clark (Maungakiekie Team) (Maungakiekie) |
| Orakei Local Board | Orakei | Desley Simpson (Citizens & Ratepayers) Kate Cooke (Citizens & Ratepayers) Ken Baguley (Citizens & Ratepayers) Colin Davis (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Mark Thomas (Citizens & Ratepayers) Kit Parkinson (Citizens & Ratepayers) Troy Churton (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) |
| Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board | Manukau | Donna Lee (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Papatoetoe Papatoetoe Papatoetoe is a suburb in the Auckland conurbation in northern New Zealand. One of the larger suburbs of the area commonly known as South Auckland, it is located to the northwest of central Manukau, and 18 kilometres southeast of Auckland city centre.... ) Stephen Grey (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Papatoetoe) John McCracken (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Papatoetoe) Ian McGechie (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Papatoetoe) Mary Gush (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Otara Otara Ōtara is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, situated 18 kilometres to the southeast of the Auckland CBD. Ōtara lies near the head of the Tāmaki River , which extends south towards the Manukau Harbour... ) Tunumafono Ava Fa'amoe (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Otara) Poutoa Papali'i (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Otara) |
| Papakura Local Board | Manurewa-Papakura | John Robinson (PapakuraFirst) Brent Catchpole Brent Catchpole Brent Catchpole is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Professional life:Before entering politics, Catchpole worked first as an accountant and then as a marketing director for a tourism company... (PapakuraFirst) Graham Purdy (PapakuraFirst) Michael Turner (PapakuraFirst) Caroline Conroy (Team Papakura) Hine Joyce-Tahere (PapakuraFirst) |
| Puketapapa Local Board Puketapapa Local Board The Puketapapa Local Board is one of the 21 local boards of the Auckland Council, which replaced the previous eight Auckland councils on 1 November 2010.... |
Albert-Eden-Roskill | Michael Wood (Roskill Community Voice) Nigel Turnbull (Citizens & Ratepayers) Julie Fairey (Roskill Community Voice) Richard Barter (Citizens & Ratepayers) Peter Muys (Citizens & Ratepayers) Ella Kumar (Citizens & Ratepayers) |
| Rodney Local Board | Rodney | Warren Flaunty (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Kumeu) Steven Garner (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Warkworth Warkworth, New Zealand Warkworth is a town in the upper North Island of New Zealand, within the Rodney District and lying at the far north of the Auckland Region but just south of the Northland Region... ) Thomas Grace (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Kumeu) Bob Howard (Citizens & Ratepayers) (Kumeu) Tracey Martin Tracey Martin Tracey Martin is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. She is a member of New Zealand First.-Political career:Martin successfully stood for the Rodney Local Board during the 2010 Auckland Council elections.... (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Warkworth) John McLean (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Dairy Flat Dairy Flat Dairy Flat is a rural district 8 km south of Orewa beach in the North Island of New Zealand, 28 km north of central Auckland. Until the early 1990s most of the district was in dairy farms of 40 to 60 hectares , but with the growth of Auckland City and the extension of the Northern... ) James Rolfe (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Wellsford Wellsford Wellsford is a town in the northern North Island of New Zealand. The town is the northernmost major settlement in the Auckland Region, and is 114 kilometres northwest of Auckland City..... ) Brenda Steele (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) (Kumeu) June Turner (Action With Results) (Warkworth) |
| Upper Harbour Local Board | Albany | Callum Blair (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Warren Flaunty (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Margaret Miles (Shore Voice) Brian Neeson Brian Neeson Brian Kevin Neeson is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 2002, representing the National Party, and a member of the Waitemata District Health Board from 2004 - 2010.-Early life:... (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Christine Rankin (North Now) Lisa Whyte (Shore Voice) |
| Waiheke Local Board | Waitemata and Gulf | Denise Roche (Independent (politician) Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Faye Storer (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Jo Holmes (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Don McKenzie (Independent (politician) Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Jim Hannan (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Waitakere Ranges Local Board | Waitakere | Judy Lawley (Totally Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Mark Brickell (Citizens & Ratepayers) Janet Clews (Independent Residents & Ratepayers) Greg Presland (Future West) Neil Henderson (Future West) Denise Yates (Future West) |
| Waitemata Local Board Waitemata Local Board The Waitemata Local Board is one of the 21 local boards of the Auckland Council, which will replace Auckland's existing eight councils on 1 November 2010.... |
Waitemata and Gulf | Shale Chambers (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... ) Pippa Coom Pippa Coom Pippa Coom is a Auckland, New Zealand politician, who is the transport and community portfolio member for the Local Board of the Waitemata Ward... (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... ) Jesse Chalmers (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... ) Rob Thomas (Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) Greg Moyle (Citizens & Ratepayers) Tricia Reade (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... ) Christopher Dempsey (City Vision City Vision The City Vision is a local newspaper whose offices are based in the Bellville region of Western Cape, South Africa. It is edited, prepared and compiled by people who live in the black townships of Cape Town and who have a passion for journalism and their community. It is aligned to WP Newspapers,... ) |
| Whau Local Board Whau Local Board The Whau Local Board is one of the 21 local boards of the Auckland Council, which will replace Auckland's existing eight councils on 1 November 2010.... |
Whau | Derek Battersby (Independent Residents & Ratepayers) Duncan MacDonald (Citizens & Ratepayers) Catherine Farmer (Future Whau) Jack Weir (Citizens & Ratepayers) Sandy Taylor (Citizens & Ratepayers) Lily Ho (Citizens & Ratepayers) Kathryn Davie (Community Independents/Whau Now) |
Council-controlled organisations
| Auckland Council Investments | ||
| Auckland Council Property | ||
| Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development | ||
| Auckland Transport Chairman: Mark Ford |
||
| Waterfront Auckland | ||
| Regional Facilities Auckland | ||
| Watercare Services |
Michael Redman, formerly mayor, then chief executive of Hamilton City Council, was chief executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development from November 2010 to October 2011.
Chief Executive
In March 2010, Doug McKay was announced as the chief executive officerChief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the new Council by the Auckland Transition Agency. The 54-year-old was selected ahead of 27 other candidates, which apparently included several existing council chief executives. He has no experience in local government, but is described as having strong Auckland ties, and 30 years' corporate experience. He is to receive a salary of $675,000 and an incentive bonus of $67,500.
The choice was criticised by an editorial in the New Zealand Herald, arguing that McKay's previous tenure in the liquor industry was marked by anti-union behaviour that he did not object to, and by strong advertising of alcohol to the youth market. Compared to this, the editorial argues, the fact that McKay is to be paid three times the salary of the Prime Minister, has had no local government or non-profit experience and was selected by an unelected transition authority, were all to be expected, seeing the lead-up to the new Council.
Mayoral candidates John Banks and Len Brown were positive about his appointment, Len Brown noting McKay's business and restructuring experience was a "good fit", and would help improve economic performance as well as build links with businesses.
Planning documents
Auckland PlanIt is intended that the Auckland Council, as one of the major tasks of its first years, will prepare a "spatial plan" to guide Auckland's growth. This plan will cover matters such as the limits of residential development and the zoning and densities of the suburbs and areas, and will assess how elements like transport and land use are to be linked. It is intended to be one of the main documents out of which a unified District Plan
District Plan
A District Plan is a statutory planning document of New Zealand's territorial authorities.Mainly covering land use/zoning questions, they have become required since the advent of the Resource Management Act 1991...
will eventually grow. Some critics have noted that this spatial plan will need years to develop and CCOs would fill the policy vacuum in the meantime. Apart from conflicting with Council's plans, this might also pit CCOs against each other.
After the first round of plan development and public consultation, the draft plan was launched mid 2011. Commentators noted that one of the strongest discrepancies between Auckland Council's vision for Auckland and that of the John Key-led Wellington government was that the draft Auckland Plan envisaged a more contained growth (combatting sprawl
Sprawl
Sprawl can refer to:*Sprawl , a defensive technique in wrestling and martial arts used to prevent a takedown.*Urban sprawl, also called suburban sprawl...
by having 75% of population growth occur in existing settlement areas), while National is more favourable of relaxing constraints on new greenfield
Greenfield
-Engineering:* Greenfield land, a piece of undeveloped land * One of several related terms:* Greenfield project, a project which lacks any constraints imposed by prior work...
s development.
Long Term Council Community Plan
The first Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), the longer-term financial budget of the city, will not be produced until July 2012. Until that time, longer-term finances will be decided by the Council, guided by the existing LTCCPs of the subsumed bodies.
City Centre and Waterfront Plans
Another big focus of the planning work in the first year of the Council is planning for the Auckland CBD
Auckland CBD
The Auckland CBD is the geographical and economic heart of the Auckland metropolitan area. Bounded by several major motorways and by the harbour coastline in the north, it is surrounded further out by mostly suburban areas...
(now called 'City Centre') and the Auckland Waterfront
Auckland waterfront
The Auckland waterfront is a city-side stretch of the southern Waitemata Harbour coastline in Auckland City, New Zealand...
. Including the proposed CBD rail tunnel
Auckland city centre rail tunnel
An Auckland, New Zealand city centre / CBD rail tunnel has been proposed at various times during Auckland's history...
, these two transformations are costed at approximately $5.5 billion over 20 years. Projects proposed in the draft plans include partial or full pedestrianisation of a number of city centre streets, light rail possibilities for the Waterfront and Queen Street, turning Nelson and Hobson Street from wide one-way roads into two-way roads with more trees and urban amenity, and a waterfront walk- and cycleway.
Assets
The Council owns approximately $29 billion of assets, including over 100,000 hectares of open space, parks and reserves, as well as the large transport assets administered by the Auckland Transport CCO (see that article for more detail).Rates
Auckland Council rates combine the rates of the various amalgamated local councils and the Auckland Regional Council rates. For the 2011-2012 year, ratepayers are being charged the same rate as before the amalgamation, plus a 3.94% increase, with Council noting that they had achieved a much lower rates increase than originally forseen. Rates made up 53% of Council's income in 2011, with the remainder being "grants, subsidies, development and financial contributions, user charges and fees".As of 2011, 24% of Council's money was spent on "Art services and galleries, events, museums, parks, recreation facilities and the zoo", while 22% was spent on "transport management". Further big elements were "Planning and regulation" at 14.5% and "Community services, libraries, emergency management and cemeteries" at 11.5%.
See also
- Auckland mayoral election, 2010
- Royal Commission on Auckland GovernanceRoyal Commission on Auckland GovernanceThe Royal Commission on Auckland Governance was established by the New Zealand Government to investigate the local government arrangements of Auckland....
- Auckland#Future growth