Auckland Council’s initial proposal for a review on representation is now open for submissions.
Aucklanders can visit akhaveyoursay.nz/represent to find out more about the proposed changes and give feedback until 4pm, Thursday 8 August.
Through the review, the council is looking to maintain the current number of wards and councillors, while adjusting some ward boundaries in central and north Auckland. The number of local boards and their elected members stay the same except for Howick, where two more local board members are proposed to account for growth.
There are also proposed subdivision changes in Howick and Rodney, to provide more even representation for communities.
In May, Tagata Pasifika spoke with the Chairmans of two South Auckland local boards who raised concerns about representation for Pasifika people in the upcoming review of local boards in the Auckland supercity.
The review is made up of two processes, a representation across councils and a review of the current number of local boards. Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia acknowledges that cost-cutting is part of the review and that he worries about how it will impact the community.
Mangere-Otahuhu local board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says any reduction in the number of local boards does not make sense.
In a statement Rose Leonard from Auckland Council Governance Services says, “When the supercity was formed in 2010, Auckland Council did not choose the number of local boards we have. Now fourteen years on, it’s time to consider whether 21 local boards is the right model for the future.
“Local boards have been asked for their views in the early stages of the council’s review on representation, and that has provided us with valuable feedback.”
The current structure for the Auckland local boards is 21 local boards with 18 subdivisions with 149 elected members, the proposed changes would see 15 local boards with 21 subdivisions and 137 local board elected members.
The proposal also includes the merging of 12 (six to eight member) boards including Ōtara/Papatoetoe and Mangere/Otahuhu into six boards with 12 members on each board. For example Mangere/Otahuhu (seven members) and Ōtara/Papatoetoe.
Once consultation closes on 8 August, the council will review feedback and allow anyone who wishes to speak about their submission to be heard in September. Any necessary changes will then be made before the public is notified of a final proposal in October.
