Beatson Interview: Selwyn-Manning IVs Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse - July 02 2012
Channel: LiveNewsNZ
Date: 2012-07-03

Triangle TV's Beatson Interview: In this episode Selwyn-Manning interviews Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse on how well the post-amalgamation Auckland supercity is performing. 

The interview explores whether the restructured and reformed great Auckland region is on track to reach its cultural and economic potential in the post-amalgamation period.

Questions include:

1) It has been over 20 months since Aucklanders elected the supercity's first mayor, council and local representatives. How is the Auckland Council performing under this amalgamated supercity structure?

2) It is no secret that you were critical of the supercity concept being established, what were your main  concerns back prior to 2010? And have these concerns been borne out in reality?

3) There were concerns that the Mayor and councillors would have little control over the CCOs (Council Controlled Organisations). Are you satisfied that the CCOs are performing satisfactorily?

4) Prior to the supercity amalgamation, Central Auckland, South Auckland, West Auckland and North Auckland all had definable and specifically different cultures.

Why is there now so much emphasis on the Auckland CBD, as if it represents all the diverse and distant communities of the supercity?





THE RATES:

5) Hundreds of thousands of people in this expanded Auckland City have found their rates hiking upward?  Why is this so?

6) Are the local community boards in the outer regions of  the city getting more money to work with than they had under the pre-2010 structure? And are Aucklanders enjoying a better existence now than before?


NECESSARY REFORM:

7) You are half way through the supercity's first term, what changes need to be made to ensure Auckland progresses toward meeting its economic and cultural potential?

8) What is the relationship like between Auckland Council's political wing and Central Government?

9) How can Aucklanders take ownership of fixing the supercity's structural problems? For example should Auckland's elected councillors draft a reform package and begin to lobby Parliament and Government with its demands?