The NZCID "One Auckland" proposal will achieve transformational reform of Auckland's local government.  The proposed One Auckland structure provides for a single unitary authority to lead the Auckland region, replacing the existing eight territorial authorities. Local involvement will be strengthened by the establishment of 23 Community Councils each based on the parliamentary electorate boundaries including two Community Councils to represent the interests of Tangata Whenua across the region.

Alongside the Community Council structure, the One Auckland Council will be supported by three council divisions encompassing: Economic Development; Community Culture and Recreation; and Sustainable Development; and by two council controlled organisations: an integrated water services company and a fully integrated transport agency.

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NZCID Media Statements

One Auckland, One Plan, One Voice
23 April 2008

The "One Auckland" proposal advanced by the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development will achieve transformational reform of Auckland's local government, says NZCID Chief Executive, Stephen Selwood.

"This is a once in a life time opportunity to get it right for Auckland. Its time to put division and disunity behind us and lift the region's performance from mediocrity to excellence.

"We need unifying leadership to develop our communities, revitalise our arts, sports and culture and lift our economic and environmental performance. We need well resourced highly focussed infrastructure agencies to fix our transport system and to provide essential water services and community ammenities.

"The right solution for Auckland is one that will maximise the contribution of individuals, recognise the importance of local knowledge, experience and influence, and capitalise on economies of scale and efficiency at the most appropriate level, either locally or regionally.

"One Auckland" is designed to achieve this outcome.

"The new structure provides for a single unitary authority to lead the Auckland region, replacing the existing eight territorial authorities.

The One Auckland Structure

"The Council will be led by the Mayor elected at large from the greater Auckland area who will be responsible for championing the aspirations of the people of the region.

"As leadership skills are the crucial success factor for this role, the ability to win popular support by standing for election at large is seen as a critical test of capability for the role. The Mayor will have both a deliberative and casting vote on Council and will have a range of executive powers including appointment of the Boards and Chief Executives of the key delivery agencies.

"Community engagement, participation and influence will be strengthened by the establishment of 23 Community Councils based on the parliamentary electorate boundaries. These will include two Maori Councils to represent the interests of Tangata Whenua across the region. The Community Councils will comprise five members elected locally.

"Each Council will be allocated an equivalent amount of the regional rates to allow implementation of community plans. An equal allocation of funds ensures equity amongst all communities and is targeted at ensuring wealthier communities are not advantaged over lower socio demographic areas. If Auckland is to thrive we must capture the talents of all our people. The community developments plans will make this happen.

"In addition to the local council, each community will elect one person at large to provide direct representation on the One Auckland Council. The Council will therefore comprise 24 members including the Mayor. While elected from community areas, the role of One Auckland councillors is to oversee the strategic direction of the region as whole, and be the link between national, regional and local government.

"Broad alignment of Community Council areas with parliamentary boundaries is designed give each community consistent representation at central government level through their local Member of Parliament, at the regional level through their "One Auckland" council member and at the local level through their Community Council. It will also enable adjustment of boundaries to reflect regional growth over time.

"Alongside the Community Council structure, the One Auckland Council will be supported by three divisions encompassing: economic development; community culture and recreation; and sustainable development; and by two council controlled organisations: an integrated water services company and a fully integrated transport agency. The Mayor will lead the executive management board which will oversee the operations of each arm of the Council.

"Services will be contracted to the private sector, as they are now, but the Community Councils will be the eyes, ears and voice of the local community to ensure service standards are maintained and improved.

The Case for Reform

"The case for fundamental reform is compelling", says Selwood.

"A review of strategic and operational planning across each of the existing councils in the region shows a litany of best laid plans sitting on shelves.

"Experience shows that even with the best will in the world, governance and funding structures are not enabling delivery of the agreed vision.

"While progress is being made, those that are achieving results must work around structures which inhibit rather than enable the outcomes that have been collectively agreed as priorities for the region.

"The region's governance is characterised by competing leadership and disunity. Organisational relationships are extremely complex. There is duplication of function and dilution of expertise across council structures. Decision making powers are fragmented and lack transparency.

Accountabilities are blurred. Most of the wealth of the region is held by the city councils while the regional council is insufficiently funded. Decisions are often "mislocated" & either taken at the national or local sphere of government when the impacts are regional. Conversely, existing Community Boards lack the tools to be truly representative of the communities they serve.

Continued division is the last thing Auckland needs

"We looked closely at amalgamations of existing councils and strengthening the current structures but rejected the concept of a three tier structure as we have now. Retention of the existing councils, whether it is three, four or seven cities, inevitably means continuation of competing city leadership and direction. The success of any structure which includes the existing cities is totally dependent on those councils ceding control to the region. Past experience shows this will not be sustainable over time. The stronger the middle tier of governance, the bigger will be the tussle for power between the region and the cities.

"This is the heritage we come from. It is not the model to lead the Auckland region forward into the 21st century.

"The significant risk of an enlarged middle tier comprising three or four city councils is that it will exacerbate the very problems that exist today - competing cities undermining regional unity and common direction.

"Arguments over funding and strategic decision making are the very issues that have given rise to the need for governance reform. It is impossible to see how this would be any better under a three or four city model. Arguably there is potential for even more division that is currently the case.

"The time for compromise is over. If we are to achieve our aspirations for Auckland to be the best that it can be, persisting with the status quo or tinkering around the edges will not take us there. We know that from past experience. The governance of our city region needs transformation, not transition."