Modern democracies work best when there is a balance between the role of democratically-elected representatives and direct participation in the development of policies by citizens

The media, and the opposition, always like to portray it is a 'back-down' if elected representatives change a policy proposal as a result of consultation. It's the media's job to make stories interesting, and the opposition's job to oppose, so I don't hold it against them. But I do think it is important to recognise the benefit that participation brings to the process of developing any policy.

The select committee system allows citizens to talk directly to some of those who will take the final decisions on important matters. It does not replace the responsibility of elected representatives to make the final decisions, but provides them with good information about the risks and benefits the people see in their proposals.

A Royal Commission is another way of providing for public participation in developing policies - but again, it would be wrong of elected representatives to put aside their responsibility to make up their own minds and just take recommendations from a Royal Commission as a 'done deal', and implement them without further thought.

I hope there will be lots of media attention to the Select Committee on Auckland Governance over the weeks ahead. I hope, also, that teachers will find time in their busy schedules to relate what is happening to the curriculum. Aucklanders are seeing history being made, and participating in it.

I am pleased with the quality of the submissions. We have received approximately 2450 and of these about 1100 are form submissions. There are around 780 oral submissions to be heard by the select committee and 670 written submissions.

A Maori sub-committee of the Auckland Governance Legislation select committee will take hearings to marae across the city. The whole select committee will sit in the north, west and south of the region and on Waiheke, with a smaller sub-committee going to Great Barrier Island.

This has been an exciting process with good positive public participation through the public meetings and submissions process. There will be more public consultation through the next stages of the bill process as we work together to make Auckland an even more super city.