One Auckland

Let's make Auckland a great city:

• a city that competes successfully on the global stage;
• a prosperous city that offers unparalleled quality of life within the Asia Pacific region;
• a city with a vibrant culture, pure environment and strong social cohesion;
• a city that truly deserves the title first city of the Pacific.

What we need:

• Council leadership where agreement can be reached;
• A clear strategy;
• Highly effective and efficient administration;
• A council with the legal backing to act on its decisions;
• World class infrastructure and support services such as transport, power and broadband;
• Ways for residents and ratepayers to have their say and influence what happens in their own city.

Transformation not transition

• Maintaining the status quo, or tinkering around the edges, will not achieve this vision;
• The region, the city and its management need radical transformation, not transition.

Look at this mess:

• 8 local authorities (Auckland City Council, North Shore City Council, Waitakere City Council, Manukau City Council, Franklin District Council, Papakura District council, Rodney District Council and the Auckland Regional Council)
• Mayoral Forum
• 7 mayors and 1 chairman
• 30 community boards
• 264 elected representatives
• 8 chief executives
• 5,500 staff
• 8 strategies
• 8 separate rating bodies
• 8 plans and bylaws
• 7 building control authorities
• 12 water network operators
• 14 finance, IT and HR systems

Speaking of a shambles, this is how it looks:

Click here to download Current Auckland Governance - 898kb

Here's how to fix Auckland:

Click here to download Greater Auckland Council - 557kb

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One Greater Auckland Council (GAC)

Proposed GAC

• 21 members 1 each elected at large from the Local Council areas,
• Required to act in interests of the region ,
• Required to work closely with the 21 Local Councils and local MPs; and
• Sets rates for the whole region.

Current Auckland Regional Council

• 13 members elected by constituency
• Auckland Constituency (4 members)
• Franklin/Papakura Constituency (1 member)
• Manukau Constituency (3 members)
• North Shore Constituency (2 members)
• Rodney Constituency (1 member)
• Waitakere Constituency (2 members)

Power to the people with Lcoal Councils

• 21 Local Councils aligned with Parliamentary electorates, ie, Rodney, Helensville, East Coast Bays, Northcote, North Shore, Waitakere, Te Atatu,
  New Lynn, Mt Roskill, Mt Albert, Epsom, Auckland Central, Tamaki, Maungakiekie, Mangere, Manukau,
  Manurewa, Pakuranga/Howick, Botany,
  Papakura/Clevedon, Franklin;
• 5 members elected by the local community for each Local Council;
• Decide rates for community services and amenities;
• Represent and act as an advocate for the interests of the community;
• Consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Greater Auckland Council (GAC) and any issues of interest to the Local Council;
• Make an annual submission to the GAC on expenditure commitments and needs in the Local Council area;
• Maintain an overview and provide feedback to the GAC on services provided within the community;
• Communicate with community organisations and special interest groups in the community, and undertake any other responsibilities delegated by the GAC;
• Build rapport and ongoing relationship with local Member of Parliament and constituent GAC members;
• Provide a development path for regional leaders.

Rates and charges

One centrally generated rate account comprising:

• The regional general rate
• Any regional targeted rate or charges
• Local Council general rate
• Local Council targeted rate or charges
• Uniform rating base, based on capital value (CV)
• As business pays substantially more under CV rating, it is envisaged that differential rating would be abolished
• User pays - water and community services

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What will happen when Auckland is fixed

Before:

• 8 local authorities
• 7 mayors plus 1 chair
• 30 community boards
• 264 elected representatives
• 8 chief executives
• 5,500 staff
• 8 separate rating bodies
• 8 plans and bylaws
• 7 building control authorities
• 12 water network operators
• 14 finance, IT & HR systems

After:

• Single Greater Auckland Council
• 1 mayor
• 21 Local Councils
• 127 elected representatives
• 1 chief executive
• Empowered staff
• 1 rating biller
• 1 city plan and 1 set of bylaws
• 1 building control authority
• 1 water and 1 transport agency
• 3-5 finance, IT & HR systems

$200 million annual savings in operational spending = $400 per ratepayer

Key benefits of our plan

• Governance structure to lead NZ's international city;
• Regional unity and leadership;
• Strengthened community involvement and decision making;
• Improved integration and planning;
• Clear responsibility and accountability for implementation;
• Empowered delivery agencies;
• Reduced costs, improved efficiency, better value;
• Enhanced social, environmental and economic prosperity.

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