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.
For more information, please visit www.auckland.govt.nz
Local Government Commission Releases Determination on Ward and Local Board Boundaries
The Local Government Commission has released its determination on boundaries for ward and local board areas for the new Auckland Council, which will incorporate Rodney District.
ATA Consultation on Local Boards and CCOs
Auckland residents have until the 26 March to comment on proposals developed by the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) on the role of Local Boards and Council Controlled Organisations in Auckland.
Two separate discussion documents have been released by ATA with proposals on which functions Local Boards should undertake when they are established on 1 November 2010 and the structure and responsibilities of Council Controlled Organisations.
A website has been set up by ATA through which people can provide feedback on both draft documents at www.discussiondocuments.co.nz.
Auckland Council Legislation - Third Bill
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide announced in a media release issued on December 3 2009 Cabinet decisions for a third bill to complete the the legislative framework for the new Auckland Council.
The first two bills began the work of creating a new Auckland Council to replace the region’s existing eight councils. The third bill will
- Transfer Auckland’s assets and liabilities to the new Council
- Protect the interests of staff who move from the old councils to the new Council
- Give the new Council the powers it needs to be up and running on 1 November 2010, while ensuring that change can occur smoothly.
A summary of the bill is available online. The full version of the bill is also available online. Submissions to the third bill closed on 12 February. Click here to read the Council's media release summarising the draft Bill.
The 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.