What is going on?

Auckland is undergoing the most significant change in local government for 20 years – The amalgamation of the four cities into one super city. 

This will have a major effect on the way Waiheke is run and the amount of determination we have over our own future. Waiheke does it better – but it seems some people don’t like that and want to bring things back to the lowest common denominator set of services that suit Auckland Central. 

You can have your voice heard – but need to act quickly.. This change is being rushed through parliament and a major bill to implement the changes is currently going through the select committee stage. They have set a deadline for the 26th June for people to make submissions – that is to express their opinions. 

Why should I participate? 

The select committee will hold hearings in July and we want to make sure that they come to the island to hear our viewpoints. It is important therefore to make submissions now and ask to speak at the hearings. The submissions do not need to be long or complicated – just say what you feel. The bill is intended to pass into law in September and the new City Council will have elections sometime next year. 

When the Royal Commission took place there were over 800 submissions from Waiheke, by far the largest group in the region. This resulted in a number of specific statements in the Report about special determinations for the Gulf and Islands. ALL these proposals have been dumped by the National-ACT bill so we now have to fight again to maintain our status. If you have made a submission in the past, then please do so again and ask to speak. 

The government are using the supercity process to pursue their own political agenda which will result in a concentration of power in a few hands, massive privatisation and commercialisation of public services and the removal of local jobs, local contracts and environmental, social and economic innovation. All this is sold on the idea of lower rates – but what you will save on the rates you will pay many times over to private companies instead. 

What do I need to know? 

In order for the submissions to be accepted they must be relevant to the content of the Bill. This means that there are lots of things that will not make sense in a submissions, for example issues about Clean Stream and Recycling. 

Here are the key issues in the bill that you should consider:

Councillors (section 8.3b) 

Eight Councillors will be elected at large – this means that they are voted for by the entire city. While this sounds fair the reality is that these councillors will be dominated by the rich, voting districts of the central city. Each councillor will have a very large constituency which means their accountability is spread very thin, Also in order to get elected councillors will have to canvas the entire city – an expensive activity available only to the rich and famous, or those backed by political parties. 

The reduction in the number of councillors means that Waiheke with its small population would have no representation at all in the Council. 

Many more councillors e.g. about 30, from smaller wards would result in more local representation and a more diverse and intelligent mix. It would also mean that Waiheke could get its own councillor. 

Mayoral Powers ( Section 9) 

The Mayor will have increased powers. These include the power to appoint a deputy and committee chairs. We discovered the power of owning the chair of a committee in our visits to the CDC – Aaron Bhatnagar would get two votes on every issue – thus ensuring a victory even when the debate was evenly matched. 

The mayor would also propose the budget – controlling the purse strings and being able to starve unfavoured projects of funds. 

Second Tier ( Section 13) 

The Government are proposing a second tier of 20-30 local boards. They will be talking shops and will have few powers or responsibilities. If you think the current community board is toothless you can imagine how useful this will be. 

Waiheke wants its local board to have real powers, guaranteed by law and not by the whim of the council. It should also have the power to set budgets, employ people and make contracts. Many in Waiheke want even more separation from the Council ranging from independence to special status as part of a National Park. The key point to make at this time though is that we do not accept that Super City will represent the interests and aspirations of the Island. 

Maori Representation 

The Government has rejected any special arrangements for Maori Representation. You might prefer Maori seats elected from the Maori roll and or from mana whenua. You may not feel qualified to talk on Maori issues but you can still express how you personally feel about representatives from a diverse set of choices rather than 20 men in blue suits. 

Water Supply 

The Government proposes the integration of all the city water supply retailers into a single publicly owner non profit water company. This seems a good idea – but is it preparation for privitisation? will we be forced to have piped water and sewage on the island. – express your view. 

None of the Above

Don’t want the super city at all? Then tell them in the submission. Let them know how you see Waiheke being governed.

How do I make a submission? 

write a letter:

please enclose 2 paper copies. postage is free.

or send an Email

to AGL@parliament.govt.nz

please send a copy to submit@onewaiheke.co.nz as well and indicate whether you would like us to make it available to others to read.

What does a submission look like?

Here is a sample you can base your own on:

Submission To The Parliamentary Select Committee:
Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill 

Name or Organisation:  Arthur Snodgrass, Waiheke Nose Museum

Address: 1029 Hill Road, Palm Beach

Daytime telephone number: 09 372 9999

Email Address: waihekenosemuseum@gmail.com

I would/would not like to speak to the committee in person 

Submission: 

The Waiheke Nose Museum makes and displays casts of prominent noses on Waiheke. This is a community funded arts project that brings in 2.3 Million tourists every year.  We are very concerned that the centralisation of power from the community boardto the city will result in the amalgamation of the museum with the inferior North Shore Nose Collective resulting in a drop to lowest common denominator standards, the removal of community funding support and the loss of our place in the UN World Nose Heritage Organisation. 

but seriously – you don’t need to be a lawyer, just speak in your own voice and say what you honestly think and feel about how Waiheke should relate to the rest of Auckland City. Talk from experience.