NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) : I am delighted to support the third readings of the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Amendment Bill, the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill, and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Bill. This afternoon we are ending the final chapter of reform of local government in Auckland. Let us not forget why we are here. We are here to deliver what the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance asked us to deliver—that is, a city that is able to compete successfully with Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane for people and investment, but also a city that has world-class standards and quality of life. Our Government listened to the royal commission when it said that “Maintaining the status quo, or tinkering around the edges, is not the answer. Bold change is required,”. Problems the commission identified included “Messy and inefficient urban growth, infrastructure constraints, social disparity, and poor urban design …”. Our city has a third of New Zealand’s population, and with 2 million people on track to be living in Auckland by 2050 it was not an option for this Parliament to keep the status quo.
The royal commission, initiated by the previous Government, cost $4 million and took 18 months. After three pieces of legislation, thousands of submissions, and hundreds of hours of Auckland Governance Legislation Committee hearings, we are near the end of this parliamentary process. We are on the cusp of what we all hope is a new era of local government for the people of Auckland. After 3 years of consultation, decisions have been made. There are some bold changes, but Aucklanders are presented with a workable structure and one that has the potential to offer greater representation, better access to services for disadvantaged people, and, ultimately, a more secure, prosperous, and sustainable city.
I think it is important at this point to recognise why the legislation has been challenging, and I acknowledge my colleague Hone Harawira and his comments on Māori representation. The first relates to the scale and the magnitude of the changes for people, to legislation, and to policies. This is the greatest change to Auckland in a generation, and it will have an impact for generations to come. The other reason that this has been challenging to this Parliament is that we have been effectively engaging with the rearrangement of power. The change from eight mayors to one, from over 100 councillors to 20, and from a few community boards to 21 local boards was never going to please everyone. These changes cannot be looked at in isolation. One must view the whole system to understand the shift to a better balance of power between local and regional government, and to understand how Aucklanders may be better represented. It is one of those areas that puts an obligation on parliamentarians to act responsibly; it is legislation dealing with people’s rights and how they are represented. I am confident that although it is not possible to please everybody, we have acted responsibly to deliver a system that will lead to improved representation for all Aucklanders.
Parliament has worked alongside the Auckland Transition Agency. The Auckland Governance Legislation Committee and Ministers have recognised that whatever Parliament chose not to address within this legislation has had to be addressed by the Auckland Transition Agency. I acknowledge the huge dedication and commitment by the agency, and in particular by Mark Ford, for the task they have completed.
As I have worked on the legislation I have been acutely aware of the following principles. The first was to ensure that we achieve the appropriate balance of delivering a structure, while not exerting excessive central government control and prescribing every last detail. This ensures maximum flexibility for a city that will continue to experience great change in terms of our people and our environment, and enables improved autonomy for local body politicians. The second principle has been to ensure that Parliament has put in place what may be interim arrangements to ensure the council can operate from day one. After listening to Aucklanders, the select committee has made significant changes to the council-controlled organisations, both in terms of accountability and by ultimately giving back to the Auckland Council the responsibility as to whether most council-controlled organisations should exist. The third principle has been to take into consideration that any unique features of the Auckland Council may have implications for the rest of New Zealand. Some of these variances are evident in areas like the new obligation for the mayor to engage with people who are too young to vote. This is entirely appropriate for one of the youngest cities in the world. Auckland is unique in New Zealand in terms of its demographics and size. However, we are confident that although it is not this Government’s intention to initiate the process with other regions in New Zealand, the model could work in other areas if they want it. We have aimed to deliver an enduring, flexible structure that will last for generations.
The fourth principle is diversity, and it is reflected in the local boards. We know that even within my Auckland Central electorate there is incredible diversity, from Waiheke, to Great Barrier Island, and to the central business district. What is right for each of these areas could not necessarily be prescribed within legislation. Given the number of changes to people, places, and legislation, I think it is inevitable—and I am happy to stand up and say so—that it is not likely that we will get it perfect. There probably will be implementation issues. But I hope that the people of Auckland are able to be patient and grasp some of the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead for our city—in particular, in the area of planning. We heard today that we are moving from a system of having over 800 consent documents, to 100 consent documents. This is about making people’s lives simpler in Auckland, and making businesses’ lives a lot more efficient and less costly.
I would like to be clear that although Parliament has put in a system of local government, it cannot control the candidates that step up. I encourage all Aucklanders of all ethnicities and ages, and in all places, to step up at this exciting time and make a contribution. I acknowledge the members of the royal commission for the huge contribution they made to this process. I thank my select committee colleagues Jackie, Tau, and Simon for all their hard work, and also all the other National MPs and Ministers who contributed to this process. I acknowledge the Hon Rodney Hide in particular for his ability to listen to Aucklanders and to make changes to the council-controlled organisations. I acknowledge the Hon John Carter for his uncanny ability to negotiate through troubled waters and find agreement.
I want to finish on this note—the opportunity that lies ahead. This is a time of opportunity for Auckland, and it is time when I believe we could be on the cusp of some very transformational things happening in Auckland. In particular, I note the ability of having one spatial plan in Auckland and what we may see as a result. It is time for Aucklanders to finally be able to come together and discuss what kind of public transport system they want. It is time for Aucklanders to finally be able to come together and decide where they want the cultural fabric of Auckland to exist. It is time for Aucklanders to finally be able to come together and look at the poorer areas and communities in Auckland. Our city is gifted in both people and environments. This evening we have the pleasure to deliver to Auckland a new system of local government. I hope Aucklanders will look back and say that although the process was hard, and at times it was painful, this was the day that Aucklanders emerged stronger and with greater opportunity for our greatest city. Thank you.
