Mayor welcomes report on Auckland unification
Auckland Mayor Len Brown has welcomed the findings of a new report on Auckland's governance.
A new report on the state of Auckland five years after unification has been welcomed by Mayor Len Brown.
The report, titled “The Governance of Auckland: 5 years on”, was commissioned by the Committee for Auckland and produced by AUT University.
Recognition of advances made
Len Brown says: “The recognition of the advances made across the board since the birth of the new Auckland five-and-a-half years ago is gratifying and recognises the significant work of staff and elected members in building an organisation able to respond to Auckland’s growth challenges.”
“As is to be expected, work needs to continue on issues such as the relationships between the various arms of the council family, and we need to ensure Aucklanders feel appropriately represented and involved.”
“Aucklanders in their tens of thousands have taken the opportunity to participate in the planning of a new Auckland and they should be assured they are being listened to.”
The report found the new Auckland has significantly addressed the issue of a weak and fragmented regional governance system and says the council is on the right track for Auckland.
Auckland Council achievements noted
This is supported by achievements during the first two terms of the council including:
- more than $2.7 billion in cost savings
- a single Auckland Plan
- the proposed Unitary Plan
- ground-breaking on the City Rail Link project after 90 years of debate.
The also report says significant restructuring is not warranted and would be costly and disruptive.