Auckland 'needs mini-government'

Toss out the old masters and bring in a mini-government complete with a leader and cabinet, former mayoral candidate and Heart of the City lobby group head Alex Swney has told a royal commission into Auckland's eight-council governance.

Mr Swney is one of 3500 people lining up to have their say on how the city should be governed. Most submissions are strongly in favour of a single authority to replace the eight territorial authorities.

Public hearings are being held throughout the region. Auckland City's turn to air its views began this week.

Hearings in Manukau, Waitakere and North Shore prompted commissioner Peter Salmon, QC, a retired High Court judge, to deliver a scathing warning last week, saying local authorities should stop waving their "we are the best" flags and come up with a plan that was best for all of Auckland.

Yesterday Mr Swney echoed the views of many in saying the current regime was fragmented, duplicated, obstructive and costly.

His vision was for a two-tier system, starting with 15 to 25 local community councils with boosted powers that would elect one member each to represent them on an all-powerful greater Auckland council led by a prime minister-style mayor they, and not the public, would elect.

Mr Swney's submissions followed a self-proclaimed "bold" submission by Auckland City Mayor John Banks, who said the region lacked leadership and was incapable of forming a common view.

He also called for a greater Auckland council to provide strong leadership and speak with "one clear voice".

The commission had a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the change that was needed, he said. "The status quo and tinkering around the edges are not feasible options."

The greater Auckland council would provide regional leadership, and be accountable at a local level with neighbourhood leadership, advocacy and decision-making.

Auckland International Airport chief executive Don Huse also called for the old regime to be tossed out, saying why fine-tune the old when the opportunity existed for a "fresh, innovative and energetic" new approach.

He, too, wanted to see one city led by "skilled, competent, democratically elected representatives".

Though the airport was operating effectively and efficiently, the lack of a central route between the airport and city was having seriously negative impacts on Auckland's economy, Mr Huse said.

The commission will hear submissions in Auckland City for three more weeks, then head to Waiheke and Great Barrier islands.

- © Fairfax NZ News