July 2009
Auckland city is a great place to live. It’s a beautiful and unique place and I’m extremely proud to represent its people. A third of New Zealand’s population call the Auckland region home. It’s also the engine room for our economy. That’s why it’s vital we make sure that Auckland is well-run. What happens here influences what happens across the country.
Following the release of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, the Government announced a draft proposal that from the local body elections in 2010 there will be one Mayor for Auckland, a main council of 20 representatives, and up to 30 local boards covering the region.
In past few months there has been opportunities for Aucklanders to make submissions to a Parliamentary Select Committee that has been examining the draft legislation, and will report back to Parliament in the next month. There were several thousand submissions from community and business leaders and individuals who all took the time to have their say. I want to thank the many Aucklanders that participated in this process – I learned a lot from the process and I know the proposals will be a lot better as a result of that input.
A busy start
I’ve been busy since being elected as the MP for Auckland. My new office in College Hill was opened by the Prime Minister in February and since then I’ve had a steady stream of people coming to visit.
Auckland is a diverse city, and since I was elected I have had the pleasure of attending a diverse range of events such as the Wigs on the Waterfront, dancing at the Big Gay Out and releasing Kiwi on Motouhie Island.
I’m holding regular constituent clinics on Waiheke Island and in my office on College Hill. If
you would like to see me, please contact my office on 09 378 2088.
Waiheke in Brief
Following the Westpac Helicopter fundraiser with John Key on Waiheke Island, I have been spending a lot of time on Waiheke holding constituency clinics and meeting with people within the community to discuss local issues.
I also enjoyed a cycle ride on a glorious Waiheke day with Tom Ransom of the Waiheke Cycle Action group, lobbying for the Government to contribute some of the proposed CycleWay funds for developing scenic Waiheke cycle tracks.
Great Barrier update
I recently took part in the Polar Plunge event on Friday 19 June, and also attended the
Tryphena Black Tie Ball on the Saturday, both of which were fantastic.
New Email Address!
YOU can have your say and inform me of anything you feel I need to know here – nikkikaye.haveyoursay@parliament.govt.nz
