The Government intends to have the new Auckland governance structure in place for the 2010 local government elections. The new Auckland Council will have one mayor for Auckland, elected at large by the region's residents and ratepayers.
A number of recommendations are still to be considered by the Government, with others to be decided by either the Establishment Board or future Auckland Council. For more information, please visit www.auckland.govt.nz
Proposed Auckland Council Boundaries
On November 20 the Local Government Commission released it's draft ward and local board boundaries for the new Auckland Council. Submissions on the Local Government Commission's draft boundaries close on Friday 11 December.
Auckland Council Legislation
The Government has introduced legislation for establishing the new Auckland Council.:
Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau) Act, was enacted on 25 May 2009. The Act:
- Establishes the Auckland Council as a legal entity;
- Establishes the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA), responsible for the transition process to the new Auckland Council
- Constrains the decision-making powers of existing Auckland councils and their subsidiaries.
The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act has now been passed into law. The Act:
- Provides for the high level framework for the structure of the Auckland Council.
- Empowers the Local Government Commission (LGC) to determine the boundaries of the wards of the Auckland Council and the Local Boards, and the Boards and their membership; and
- Provides for the integration of Auckland’s water infrastructure.
A third Bill will be introduced later this year and will complete the legal framework for Auckland governance, finalise transition provisions, and provide for the operation of the Auckland Council immediately on 1 November 2010.