Agency to consult Waiheke residents over board powers

BY: DIANA WORTHY

Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye has announced residents will now be able to tell super-city officials what powers the new board should have.

The announcement came at a meeting held by Ms Kaye on Saturday to discuss residents' concerns over government's proposed third bill and submissions.

Around 15 people attended the public meeting at Morra Hall, Oneroa.

They arrived in dribs and drabs but listened as Ms Kaye outlined what she believed to be islanders' main concerns.

She said people had told her they were worried about the bill's lack of detail over powers for local boards and announced there were plans for consultation separate from the third bill.

The Auckland Transition Agency (ATA), charged by government with deciding powers for boards, plans to release a consultation paper at the end of this month.

Ms Kaye said it would give residents the chance to tell the agency what they think.

She said she was also aware of concerns that included the proposed dispute resolution process, the timing of local board plans, the proposed council-controlled organisations (CCOs), special planning provisions, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and Maori representation.

But in keeping with criticism at an earlier public meeting held by opposition MPs on the island (see separate story), some residents said they were angry over what they saw as an attack on democracy.

"Many feel disempowered. It's a fundamental source of unrest," said resident George Blanchard about the lack of a referendum over the super-city.

Ms Kaye said some would argue a referendum would have been a waste of money.

She said government had already spent several million on the Royal Commission and 80 percent of parliament had agreed with the setting up of one authority for the region.

And commenting on the lack of detail on powers for local boards in the third bill, she said, "The irony is we chose not to dictate functions because we thought it would be disempowering people.

"We've said there will be an independent dispute resolution process. What better protection could you have than to be able to say, 'It's not OK for a council to say you can't do this'. You'll have back-up in legislation to say you can unless it's a regional process."

Ms Kaye vowed the resolution process would also ensure CCOs listened to council and local boards.

Residents continued to air their fears over the bill, though, with Auckland City councillor for the Hauraki Gulf islands Denise Roche saying she was particularly worried about the lack of democracy, accountability and transparency.

"You've removed the right for any community in Auckland to go for reorganisation - to apply to be governed by another council, for example - before 2013. You've removed the right about whether we want first past the post elections. You've removed the protection of Ports of Auckland.

"This is not democratic."

Ms Kaye said later she was always pleased by Waiheke residents' willingness to get engaged, both at meetings and through other communications, and would follow up some of the points raised.

"Some of the policy questions that people had at the meeting included the relationship between local boards and the Auckland Council, accountability and transparency of council controlled organisations, and spatial planning.

"I have committed to getting some policy advice and updates from both the Department of Internal Affairs and the Auckland Transition Agency on these and other issues.

"The last select committee process resulted in significant changes to the legislation and I am confident that there will be changes as a result of community input. Getting a local board for Waiheke was a win for the community.

"I hope people will put in submissions and also get involved in the consultation on Waiheke local board powers."

- Waiheke Marketplace