What are the demands of CC4A?
1. We are demanding that Auckland Regional Governance is based on the best of the Royal Commission report.
While not everyone will agree with the Commission report, it does represent the well-researched, carefully considered findings of a panel of experts. It was based on 3500 submissions and took 18 months of deliberations.
Cc4a supports much of the Royal Commissions report, but not all. It also supports the concept of a super city based on the recognition that many issues require a coordinated regional approach.
Mr Hide’s model rejects most of the most effective and forward thinking proposals of the Royal Commission, such as a social issues board, a Minister for Auckland, Maori representation and wider ranging powers for local councils.
The Hide model was presented on a take it or leave it basis after just three days work.
Communities have been given no time at all to even understand the original report, because it was essentially rejected.
2. We demand that Maori representation on the unitary council be guaranteed
Tangata Whenua has been guardians of the lands, seas and harbours of this region for centuries. The Government devolves it's responsibilities down to Local Government and therefore must provide for a Treaty-based relationship in Local Government decisions being made in the Auckland Region.
The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance recognised this and recommended that of the 23 councillors in the new structure there should be three seats for Māori. Two Māori members should be elected to the Auckland Council by voters who are on the parliamentary Māori Electoral Roll and one Maori member should be appointed by a Mana Whenua Forum. The members of Mana Whenua Forum were to be appointed by mana whenua from the district of the Auckland Council.
The Government announced that The Auckland Council will be made up of 12 councillors elected to represent wards and an additional eight councillors who will be elected at large. There are no seats for Maori. Recognition of the role of mana whenua, and of individual hapū and iwi will be a responsibility of the new Council.
The Government decision means that in spite of being Tangata Whenua, there is no recognition of Maori right to have guaranteed representation in decision making in the region.
3. We demand rejection of Rodney Hide’s 20-30 boards and retention of the 6-11 council model of the Royal Commission Report with real powers and control over local issues,
The model of 20 -30 community boards with no real power, budget, planning functions or staff, and no structural link to the Auckland super city council is a sham. The Royal commission stated that Community Engagement was just as important as Regional Unity.
Local communities must have real control over the most important functions of local neighbourhood planning, facilities and services and community development. This requires a guaranteed budget and staff. Too many, too small, boards will simply end up scrabbling and competing for resources rather than having any real power. Only a model with less, but bigger and more powerful Community Councils can implement the ‘Shared Governance’role recommended by the Royal Commission.
The Coalition is currently working on alternative models to put before the Special Select Committee hearings
4. We demand a guaranteed commitment to addressing social issues
The importance of social wellbeing of communities was specifically noted within the Royal Commissions report, which provided for a ‘Social Issues Board’ Rodney Hide’s version of Auckland’s governance provides no social wellbeing component. How can the government call for a ‘Super city’ while ignoring the need for ‘Super communities’?
A social issues forum has been recommended by the Minister for Social Development, however there has been no firm commitment to the incorporation of this within the reorganisation structure, and it does not cover the full range of social wellbeing and development, nor the full range of government social expenditure
5. We demand that all councillors are elected on a ward basis, no ‘at large’ councillors
Only election by wards guarantees fair access to electoral opportunity for all, at large election favours the rich. Ward elections also preserve the critical issue of ‘no taxation without representation’ with much clearer accountabilities.
6. We demand several select committee meetings be held in each current local authority area
Why?
This is the single most important reform of not just Auckland, but of New Zealand's local government since it began. Its impact on individuals is immense, yet it is being driven through with indecent haste and minimal consultation. The Government has been very vocal in stating that the select committee process will allow Aucklanders to exercise their democratic rights, the Coalition considers that it's now time for the Government to live up to their fine words. Local hearings are the only way to ensure the input of grassroots communities, by making it easy for people to attend.
We are also demanding that the Government allow Auckland's widely diverse communities to make submissions in their own languages and in any form they choose. The Coalition also demands that the Government guarantees the right for anyone to present a submission to the select committee with no limits placed on the numbers of submitters of hearings.