Ngaro Alfred: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNgaro Alfred: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — In Committee[Sitting date: 06 April 2016. Volume:712;Page:10299. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]ALFRED NGARO (National): First of all I just want to acknowledge the member Phil Twyford. He is correct because I know that he himself saw the issue at hand and also put out a press release saying that he was keen to put through a member’s bill to address this very issue. So I know that the genuine intent that he has in supporting this bill comes from the very issues that he has also talked about.It is correct that this bill was initially brought through by the Hon Maggie Barry and since then I have taken it on. So with all that I think it is important just to sort of give some authenticity about the reasons because sometimes you can be given a bill—there is an opportunity there—but there are two parts that I want to talk about on how I connect to the intent of this bill.The first is that in 2010 I actually stood to run in the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki electorate for the council. I was new. I was approached. I did not have much time but as I was running for it I could see the opportunities. In fact what people said about the super-city was that it was not only a great opportunity to be part of the executive but also a great opportunity for local boards.I want to acknowledge two people in particular. While I was running that race I remember talking to people in our local community. At that time I was in the area of Panmure and Glen Innes and in Tāmaki. I want to acknowledge Chris Makoare—he is actually on the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board—and also Josephine Bartley. I remember talking to them about this opportunity about being on the local boards and it was Chris who actually said one time at one meeting—I said: what is your greatest fantasy? I was told off for saying that word because you tend to get a bit misconstrued but what I meant was: what is your greatest desire?But anyway I used the words “What is your greatest sort of fantasy and desire?”. He turned around and said this. He said: “I’d love one day to become the Prime Minister of this country.” Actually I applauded him—this is Chris Makoare—and I said: “Chris the fact that you’re willing to stand up for leadership in your community truly does make a difference.” Chris Makoare actually put his name forward and is a member of the local board. He would never have had that opportunity if it was not afforded to him and also too with Josephine Bartley. I have to say this: they are both members who actually stood under the Labour Party ticket.From my perspective what is actually more important first and foremost is having local representation. Local representation—that is really quite important. I want to acknowledge that. I am being upfront and honest about that. This bill is actually about that. That is why I stand beside this bill because people like Chris Makoare and Josephine Bartley deserve an opportunity to be able to represent their communities.People have said: “So is there a mischief for us to undo here?”. Well there is. You see in 2010 there were three people—Warren Flaunty as was named was one of those—who stood on one or more local boards. In 2013 there were five. So the numbers have been growing. There are other people who are seeing those opportunities and yes it may be out of good intent. However that means that in a system that is meant to create greater representation as Mr Twyford has talked about we are not allowing those opportunities. It is community people like that who have an opportunity I believe through this bill to put their name forward and can have greater representation.To me I think actually that is the intent. That is the reason why I wholeheartedly stand behind this bill as well.Hon David Cunliffe: Ka pai.ALFRED NGARO: Ka pai; that is right. So it is really important. Currently at the moment there are 149 local board representatives. The issue is that there are five at the moment who represent two or more boards. Some may have said and some of the submitters said: “Well actually that’s five. Surely out of 149 that is not much.” But I do think that is five too many. I think there are many people out there in communities right throughout Auckland who could have the opportunity through this bill to be able to step forward and represent their communities as well. I want to commend those—I know this is not going to be a long speech because I think we have got support right across the House.My intent to stand behind this bill is genuine. I am grateful to have picked it up. There were 17 submissions and only three were in opposition. I suppose I do not need to say who they were. They were those people who are currently on one or more local boards. But the rest including Auckland Council in its submission clearly said that there are conflicts of interest even though some people have said there are not. But there are conflicts of interest that do exist if not in perception but also in reality. I think this bill is important. I commend the Committee and also note the support that the bill is receiving right across the House.