Wagner Nicky: Urgent Debates — Royal Commission on Auckland Governance—Government Response 
Wagner Nicky: Urgent Debates — Royal Commission on Auckland Governance—Government Response 
[Volume:653;Page:2530] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 Auckland the City of Sails is home of the JAFA and is New Zealand’s biggest city the one that those of us who live below the Bombay Hills love to hate. Auckland has to change. The royal commission’s report states that Auckland just like an inattentive disruptive schoolkid can do better. For Auckland to get better results it needs to be consistent to focus on its core business and to work constructively with others. Over the past few years the people of Auckland have become increasingly frustrated by the dysfunctional local government and layers of expensive bureaucracy. The royal commission acknowledges that situation and has made a compelling argument for change. Its conclusions came after 20 months of work 3500 submissions and 550 oral presentations over 27 days of hearings. It says it all. 
We all knew that Auckland’s governance was not working. We knew that the public felt that the rates were out of control and the commission report proved it. It pulls no punches. It states: “Auckland’s regional council and seven territorial authorities lack the collective sense of purpose constitutional ability and momentum to address issues effectively for the overall good of Auckland.” It lists a series of serious deficiencies. It states: “Disputes are regular among councils … Councils cannot agree on or apply consistent standards and plans. Sharing of services among councils is limited yet there is scope for so much more activity in this area. The end result is delayed and sometimes suboptimal decisions for the region … Citizens and businesses get poorer services than they hope for at a higher cost than necessary.” So we see that not only the present arrangement is not working but the councils actually make life difficult for the people of Auckland. They fight among themselves. Their standards and plans across the city contradict each other— 
Hon George Hawkins 
: Oh rubbish! Who wrote this rubbish? 
NICKY WAGNER 
: Mr Hawkins may say this is rubbish but the royal commission has heard submissions. It is a lose-lose situation and not just for the people of Auckland. As our largest city and the gateway to the rest of the country what happens in Auckland affects us all. As the royal commission says: “Auckland can and should contribute more to national prosperity and productivity than it does now.” In a world that is facing unprecedented economic crisis and as we look towards a long-term brighter future for the whole of New Zealand Auckland’s contribution to prosperity and productivity is essential. 
Local government is a strange thing. Most people are not vaguely interested in the councils and their work. One just needs to note the low level of voting in the local government elections. Most people do not want to think about local government but they want local government’s functions to function on auto and to work efficiently and effectively so that they hardly even notice them. There is no political debate about this issue. We need good central efficient and effective services and good local democracy through 20 to 30 local boards. These local boards will have teeth. Contrary to what others have said they will have teeth. Their roles will be mandated in legislation so that the Auckland Regional Council cannot freeze them out. This is a good answer for Auckland. It will deliver for the people of Auckland and it will deliver productivity and prosperity for New Zealand.