What’s so super about Auckland?

Viv HeslopBeyond Green New Zealand

What I want to talk about…

• some context• why Auckland is super…and

not• reforming of local

government in Auckland• thoughts

Some context about Auckland…

Auckland – the city-region• Home to 1.37 million people• Projected population of 1.77 million by 2026 and 2 million by 2040• Auckland is the fastest growing region in the country adding 50

people every day or one person every 29 minutes• Naturally beautiful, it is flanked by harbours and boasts a 1600-

kilometre long coastline• The region covers 500,000 hectares with 57,000 hectares of urban

area, and 26 regional parks more than 40,000 hectares• Ranked fifth in the world in the 2007 Mercer Quality of Life survey,

the region absorbed 90% of New Zealand's population growth last year

and…• With 180 different cultures Auckland is a diverse region with many

different communities• Auckland's people are 11% Pacific Island, 9% South-east Asian, 4%

Indian sub-continent, 62% European and 1% all other ethnic groups• 70% of new migrants to the country settle in the region, with one-

third of all people who call Auckland home born overseas. • One third of the nation's workforce and 38% of all business

enterprises are based here. The region provides 35% of the country's jobs, with one in five Aucklanders working in the manufacturing industry, together contributing an estimated $5.5 billion a year to the economy

• Over 70% of New Zealand's imports and 40% of exports come through Auckland's ports Auckland is home to two thirds of the country's top 200 companies and nearly a quarter of the world's Fortune 500 companies have a presence here.

What makes Auckland super…

actually quite a bit…

• lifestyle• environment• access to opportunities– schooling, recreational, arts, culture

• climate• quality of life• diversity

but…• sprawling• comprised natural environment• inequality• car dependence• fragmented decision making• lack of vision• 3 year political cycle• weak leadership

We reforms

Royal Commission on Auckland governance• how local government is structured is important in

determining what gets done – and what does not – in Auckland

• two broad systemic problem– regional governance is weak + fragmented– community engagement is poor

• lack sense of collective purpose, constitutional ability + momentum to address issues effectively for overall good of Auckland

• Auckland does not lack plans – what it lacks is the will and ability to implement them

for example…

• the Auckland Sustainability Framework and One Plan– single strategic framework + action plan setting

out clear direction for how the region plans to achieve sustainable development

• positive step towards collaborative regional strategy + action

• a governance model is needed to put this on a much sounder footing

so then…

• dissolution of Auckland Regional Council + all seven territorial authorities in Auckland

• creation of a new unitary authority called the Auckland Council

• one long-term council community plan, one spatial plan, one district plan, one rates bill, one voice for Auckland

• local democracy maintained through six elected local councils– oversee delivery of services + undertake local

engagement in 4 urban and 2 rural district

and…• Auckland needs an inspirational leader– Mayor of Auckland to have greater executive powers than

currently provided for:• appointment of Deputy Mayor + committee

chairpersons, proposal of Auckland Council budget + initiation of policy, establishment of Mayoral office

• 3 Maori seats• Auckland to have some say + control over social well-

being including central government social spend• plus strengthening of role in economic development• more of a sustainable development focus

however…• change in Government towards end of

commission process• minority party – ACT – given role in leading

reform in Auckland• re-consulted and made significant changes• gone from a well-thought out + reasoned

proposal to something invented in haste, reverting to more central government control over Auckland + loss of local democracy + corporatisation of local government

so now…

Auckland Governance – version 2

• one Auckland Council – no local councils• around 20 local community boards – with little

money or power• a number of council-controlled organisations– 80% of the regional budget– run as businesses + run by appointed not elected

people– separating of land-use [Council] and transport

[CCO]

perspectives…

Democratic City?

• An elected Mayor to provide a vision for the Council, appoint chairs of committees, deputy Mayor and run an office

• 20 elected Councillors• 13 wards and 21 local boards• No Maori seats but an advisory board• Commences 1 November 2010

New City Culture?• Wholesale restructuring• New CEO appointed– Business background

• Second tier appointments underway– Finance, Planning, Operations

• 3,500 operations staff carried over in interim– 3,000 face uncertain future

• Policy - implementation separation perpetuated

Super Super City?• Metropolitan governance at last!– Coherent city region– Vision and leadership– Integrated investment and management– Importance of Auckland in national life recognised– Flaws in existing legislation recognised

• Uncertainty– Corporatisation of local government?– Democracy and subsidiarity?– Fragmentation perpetuated?

• Rush to the ‘finish’ line• Wellington meddling in Auckland’s business

thoughts…

• time will tell• don’t promise savings – costs of transition are

significant• remember that local government is about

democracy• clarity of problem + clear link with solution?• be prepared to make bold decisions – Auckland

suffers from decision-paralysis