Panel beaters

Hayley Hannan looks into the pros and cons of an Auckland Council initiative to gauge people's thoughts on civic affairs.
The People's Panel is an online collection of Aucklanders who want to give their views about future Auckland Council projects, services and activities.
Anyone can join through the council website. So far, Bobbie Carroll is among an estimated 5000 people who have signed up since December last year.
The idea is to give Aucklanders a voice in the council process, says Shelley Watson, manager communications and public affairs.
"The People's Panel is about supporting democracy so council understands the views of Aucklanders and ensures decisions made consider what Aucklanders want.
"Public feedback from the panel will be given to the appropriate decision-makers in the council to help shape their thinking."
So far, the panel has completed a survey on the Auckland (Spatial) Plan.
Waste management and minimisation, the Auckland Plan, Local Board Plan and Rugby World Cup feedback surveys are in the pipeline.
Ms Watson expects one to two surveys a month will be sent out. The Panel is still open to new members.
For info or to join see: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/peoplespanel
For: Bobbie Carroll, Waitakere resident
"I joined [the panel] some time ago, in December, when it first came out. I was really fearful that the person on the street would lose their voice. When the panel came out, I said, 'Wow, this is a venue for my voice to be counted'.
"So far, a survey has come out. It was brilliant. It brought up an opportunity for us to have a say on issues that are quite important in Waitakere. With Waitakere, a lot of us went along to all the meetings and had our say. We really like to have our say because we have strong values. The main concern for us was the hierarchy of the council. We'd rather communicate directly with the council.
"The panel is essential because grassroots people, the ratepayers in the street, in the suburbs and in Auckland, can have a say. We don't have to travel to some town hall. We don't want to lose our views."
Against: Nadine McDonnell, Onehunga resident
"No, I thought against joining [the panel]. In terms of putting my time to something, I'd rather put it to something that matters. The key question for me is what department is deciding on these things? Is it the mayor or is it PR?
"This self-appointed, council-regulated People's Panel does not and cannot represent the views of the people of Auckland. At best it is an electronic town hall. And all they need to know for this electronic town hall is that the person lives in Auckland.
"I think [the council is] going to say the People's Panel wanted this highway put through here. What do I do then? The councillors can say, 'It wasn't my idea, it was the People's Panel'. They are doing things like this panel to make me feel like I belong.
"I'd rather see the money go to playgrounds rather than a website that's pointless."
Are you for or against the People's Panel? Email your thoughts to: letters@theaucklander.co.nz