Local Government Minister and Act Party leader Rodney Hide shares his vision for the new Super City.
Everything we are setting out to achieve is geared to a single objective - to make Auckland greater.
We are doing this because Auckland ratepayers are sick of their city being paralysed by the woeful inability of eight councils to agree on anything.
This is about improvement and greater efficiency.
This is about what's good for ratepayers. This is about providing a service culture from the people in the ratepayers' pay from the moment the phone is answered.
This is a plan for a city of the future.
There has been a lack of leadership and no single vision for Auckland, but soon its leaders will be able to think regionally, plan strategically and act decisively.
And, lest we forget: In April 1919 Michael Joseph Savage campaigned for the unification of all civic bodies in Auckland into a single municipal government.
And Aucklanders have been complaining ever since; waiting ever since.
Aucklanders have long been complaining about an inadequate transport system and waterfront development amongst others. Feudal bickering has stymied progress for nigh on a century.
Aucklanders have been waiting for someone to fix the problem.
Well, to fix the problem we have done what no Government has been prepared to do for the past one hundred years.
We have been bold, decisive, and yes, radical.
The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance was clear in what was needed.
One Auckland. One long-term council community plan. One spatial plan. One district plan. One rating system. One rates bill. One voice for Auckland.
We have delivered, and more.
The overall intent of the Super City is clear enough.
No more endless disagreements about the location and funding of regional amenities, and the provision of necessary infrastructure.
You can confidently expect efficiency gains in the years ahead from integrated long-term planning and decision-making.
I stress, the intent is to make Auckland the most exciting, vibrant metropolitan centre in Australasia.
We know the people of Auckland want greater council efficiency and value for money. We know they fear a lack of local community involvement and local democracy. And we know they are looking for an improved transport system.
The Super City will deliver all of these and more.
And we have listened:
This is being done because Auckland ratepayers are sick of their city being paralysed by the woeful inability of all those councils to agree.
