“There is a different flavour around Auckland. Some communities have a stronger view on law-and-order issues, for instance, others have a stronger view on beautification, others around graffiti. Making sure that we preserve what people think is very important in their community is very important to the Government". – Hon John Key

The Government has kick-started the process to reform Auckland Local Government so that it can better deliver services to ratepayers, manage region-wide infrastructure and plan for the future.

This week legislation allowing a transition authority to be put in place passed in Parliament under urgency.  This bill was essential to get the process started, but it is just the first leg of a longer journey towards a single council for the Auckland region.

Fragmented local government is holding the city and region back. As the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance concluded: “Failure to take action will result in citizens and businesses continuing to incur high transaction costs in dealing with councils; important decisions either not being made or made too late.”
So, the transition authority and its associated legislation is critical, as the Royal Commission explained; "existing council staff will be concerned about their future. The public will want to know that council services will continue to be provided at usual locations and that democratic processes are to be maintained. For these reasons, it is essential that the whole process is well managed and the transition work gets under way quickly."

While it was important to get the work towards a smooth transition underway, we have also initiated a significant exercise in consultation around the shape of the greater 'Auckland Council' which we expect to continue for several months. 

A second bill to discuss the number of local boards and their functions with the community will be subject to a select committee process lasting more than three months. We will keep you informed on when and how to make submissions.

Submissions on a third bill, which will determine the powers of local boards and the council, are expected to be called late this year, or early next.  Aucklanders will have significant opportunities to give the Government your views.

This Government will put the local back into local government in Auckland. That is why we are proposing a large number of local boards which will work at the grassroots and more accurately reflect the needs of the communities they serve. 

Right now though, communities need to tell us how local boards can work for them. We have deliberately designed our legislation timetable to allow for public input. 

Think about how you want your board to look in the years to come, and make submissions based on your vision for your new Auckland.