Changing Auckland's future

From City Scene, published on 3 February, 2008

Positive meeting: Auckland City Council's Regional Governance Committee chairperson and Auckland city Deputy Mayor David Hay (left), Councillor Doug Armstrong and Mayor Hon. John Banks (second from right) met with members of the Royal Commission into Auckland Governance last week, including commission chairperson, retired High Court Judge Peter Salmon QC (right).

In response to central government's call for a Royal Commission into regional and local governance arrangements in Auckland last year, Auckland City Council established a committee for regional governance to focus on all issues relating to the council's submissions and representations to the Royal Commission.

Members of the Regional Governance Committee hosted a very positive initial meeting with the Royal Commissioners last week.

"We fully support the work of the commission and we will assist them as required," says Deputy Mayor Councillor David Hay, chairperson of the committee. "We have a significant contribution to make to its work to ensure the best outcome for Auckland."

Last year, central government appointed the commission to report on what is needed to achieve Auckland's potential as an internationally competitive city to live, work and do business. The council will announce its plans for engaging with community boards and key stakeholders on issues relating to regional governance once the commission has set a timeline for its processes.