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National Party local government spokesperson Christopher Luxon says a review of the supercity 10 years on would be timely.
National Party local government spokesperson Christopher Luxon says an in-depth inquiry looking at the successes and failures of the supercity is needed 10 years on to address many of Auckland’s growth problems. And the MP for Botany says the fact the local government review announced last week has until April 2023 to report back with its findings means it should be included as part of its brief. Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta announced a review of the country’s councils on Friday which will look at the roles, functions and partnerships; representation and governance and funding and financing of local government.
“It’s hard to hear that council is destroying city’s pride,” councillor Laurie Foon said. Councillor Tamatha Paul put the council’s reputation bluntly: “We’re a bit of a joke around the country. We need to restore that mana.” Around the table, councillors mostly accepted the review’s blunt findings and several expressed relief that it wasn’t even harsher.
MONIQUE FORD / STUFF/Stuff “The report was generous to us. We got off lightly,” councillor Simon Woolf said. Deputy Mayor Sarah Free was relieved to learn Winder did not believe ministerial intervention was required, as was the case with Tauranga City Council, which was replaced with appointed commissioners this year.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster to announce new chairs and deputy chairs for committees, as recommended in critical review stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Those would cover finance and administration, planning strategy and policy, infrastructure, and community services. Other councillors with major portfolios include Diane Calvert (economic development), Jill Day (Māori partnerships), deputy mayor Sarah Free (governance), Tamatha Paul (climate change), and Fleur Fitzsimons (community wellbeing – including social housing). Paul said the briefing reaffirmed what she suspected were the problems within the council. “I welcome the report. I am 18 months into the job, and I’ve adapted to the structure we have in place. I can adapt again to get the good things done which I’ve committed to doing for our city.”
Mayor's effectiveness, councillor behaviour and 'inadequate' governance structure identified as problems at Wellington City Council stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.