KEY POINTS:
Aucklanders will be holding National to its promise to transform the city by injecting life into its creaking infrastructure, starting with the railways.
"John Key isn't going to back down on public transport," says train driver Charles Johnson. "Both National and Labour were set on the same track.
The ball is rolling now."
That track is the electrification of Auckland's railway network, a $1 billion project backed by the Labour Government which National has said it will honour once in power. Faster, quieter, more frequent trains _ a prospect Johnson is looking forward to. "It will be fantastic having modern equipment. Everybody has realised we need a decent public transport system in Auckland. Trouble is, by car it still takes me 20 minutes to get to work and sometimes an hour and a half to get home."
It's a perfect example of the challenges facing the incoming Government. But the future direction of Auckland may take a while yet to determine. National says before the city can realise its potential, a wrecking ball needs to be taken to its political structure, which then needs to be redesigned and rebuilt.
The party blames current local government structures and relationships in the city for acting as a "barrier" to development and cost-efficient services. The city's fate now lies squarely in the hands of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, which will deliver its report in March. Until then, National is keeping its cards close to its chest.
National's spokesman on Auckland issues, Wayne Mapp, hinted at a distaste for central government meddling in Auckland affairs, highlighted by the "shambolic" process around the abandoned waterfront stadium. Aucklanders wrestling with the daily grind of gridlock, housing shortages, high cost of amenities and rising crime may not be so patient.
Details of National's plans for Auckland are sparse as the party adopts its "wait and see" approach over the Royal Commission. Mapp mentioned completion of the motorway network from the North Shore to Manukau, electrification of the railway, upgrading of busways and development of the waterfront around Wynyard Point and Tank Farm.
Auckland mayor John Banks voiced the frustration of the reformers: "Auckland's governance is a train wreck," he said. Banks makes no bones of the fact he would prefer to see the so-called "Supercity" proposal - "one city, one council, one bureaucracy, one mayor" - triumph.
Local government spokesman John Carter says Auckland's infrastructure needs to be improved urgently, and there seems little doubt National's promised watering down of the RMA will loosen the brakes on development.
"If we are serious about Auckland being a world-class city that competes with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, then it needs to have high-class regional infrastructure which makes the most effective use of regional assets," said Carter.
Banks agrees. He described the RMA as an "albatross", overdue for a revamp.
"We need to spend $1 billion a year for the next 20 years to bring our underlying infrastructure up to world class." He said this included everything from wastewater and storm water projects, roading and public transport (including rail electrification) to the clearing up of beaches and streams.
"We need ministers who clearly understand the challenges facing the engine room of the New Zealand economy. Auckland is the anchor of the big ship New Zealand and we have been dragging it. I'm heartened that National is committed to private/public partnerships."
Banks says he has no complaints about Helen Clark's commitment to Auckland and has enjoyed working with her.
But there is no doubt that Banks and National are a closer fit and will see eye to eye on many things, especially the need to sort out Auckland's governance and to push forward development as quickly as possible.
But despite his endorsement of National, Banks says his first priority is Auckland. "I will keep John Key's feet to the fire."
