Kaye Nikki: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
Kaye Nikki: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:657;Page:6520] 
NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) 
: 
 I reiterate the comments of Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga. Tonight we are here because we believe that the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill is the best thing for Auckland. We are here because we want to finally deliver a regional entity for Auckland that will ensure that we have a decent public transport system and that will give the mayor the councillors and the local board members the ability to finally deliver a public transport system that does not involve 20 organisations in its delivery. We are here because we want to make sure that there is a major event strategy for Auckland. The sad fact is that Labour actually agrees with us that there should be one unitary authority. 
We come to the issue of local representation. Are we here tonight because there is an argument about those local bodies? No we are not. On this side of the Chamber we know that Labour has come to a position that is very similar to ours. It says we should have 14 to 20 local boards; we say we should have 20 to 30 local boards. What is the difference between 20 and 20? Nothing. Actually there is quite a high likelihood that we could end up with a very similar number to what members opposite want. So this argument is not about the number of local entities that are delivered for Auckland. 
The community boards came to the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee and they gave impassioned pleas. They said that they needed to have more functions and powers and that they needed to have adequate funding. You know we listened and we said they were absolutely right. There is a principle in the legislation that very clearly says that except for some decisions at a regional level decisions will be made at the lowest possible level. I have said this to members around the other parts of the country. This evening and tomorrow we are delivering possibly a stronger unit of local representation which we have never seen before in New Zealand. That is very significant and I feel very proud to be standing up and supporting that unit in our legislation. 
The other key point that we delivered—and we made it very clear in the legislation—was that there would be funding. Finally—I made this point and I have not heard a member on the opposite side debate it this evening—for the poorer communities which include Maori a principle within this legislation says that socio-economics will be a factor in the delivery of funding across Auckland. That principle has the potential to deliver more to Maori than ever before. Are the members opposite talking about it? No they are not. But I am very proud to stand up and say that this legislation has something for the poorer communities of Auckland and that they may finally get some equity in terms of services across Auckland. 
We have heard many arguments this evening about consultation but the members opposite have failed again to say why after 9 years in Government they did not deliver this consultation. They set up a royal commission. They know so much about setting up commissions strategies and reviews but ultimately at some point when you have an 800-page report sitting in front of you you have heard 3500 submissions to the royal commission and you have heard 2500 submissions from Auckland what do you think will come from fluffing around— 
H V Ross Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairman. On two occasions the member has brought you into the debate. I let it go the first time. The member is now experienced enough. She should know better. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: The member will be more careful. 
NIKKI KAYE 
: What do members actually think we will get out of fluffing around? What will members say to the 6500 employees currently in local government across Auckland who are waiting for certainty in terms of their jobs? They would say that we should delay that we should wait. Well the royal commission said the members opposite are wrong; the Government must act now to ensure that we have a structure in place in time to have local body elections. Members opposite who argue anything contrary need to explain to the people of Auckland what they will do for those 6500 people who are right now looking for certainty and what they will say to those local body politicians. Will they say that we do not need local body elections in 2011? That is the position of the Labour Party and it has failed to articulate how it would get over that hurdle. 
Members have heard tonight many arguments about Maori representation and I thank the people who submitted to the select committee on issues of Maori representation.