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An Auckland "super city" is being proposed by a Royal Commission to fix the region's woes.
In its long-awaited report, released today, the Royal Commission on Auckland governance proposed scrapping the Auckland Regional council and seven territorial authorities serving Auckland and called for the establishment of a single unitary authority called the Auckland Council.
For the first time, a single mayor will preside over the entire city - and they will have powers greater than those currently allowed.
The Royal Commission is pegging its hopes on an "inspirational leader, inclusive in approach and decisive in action" filling the Lord Mayor type role - and says their new powers will include the ability to appoint their deputy and committee chairpersons, propose budgets and initiate policy and establish and maintain an appropriately staffed mayoral office.
The new Council would have all the powers and responsibilities of a regional council and territorial authority across the region, including the sole ability to set rates, their report says.
"There will be one-long term council community plan, one spatial plan, one district plan, one rating system, one rates bill, oine voice for Auckland," the report says.
Six elected local councils would operate underneath the new super city umbrella, but would operate in a way not seen before - providing services and acting as an advocate for residents, ratepayers and their communities while lacking the general powers held by local authorities elsewhere.
A shake-up of Auckland boundaries is also proposed; while those in the north and Hauraki gulf will stay the same, Franklin will be shifted into Waikato, while Tuakau, Pokeno and Mercer will be shifted out of Waikato and brought under the Auckland super city umbrella.
In its report, the Royal Commission says Auckland needs a single, region-wide unitary authority for strong and effective Auckland governance and to overcome fragmentation and coordination problems.
In its long-awaited report, released today, the Royal Commission on Auckland governance proposed scrapping the Auckland Regional council and seven territorial authorities serving Auckland and called for the establishment of a single unitary authority called the Auckland Council.
For the first time, a single mayor will preside over the entire city - and they will have powers greater than those currently allowed.
The Royal Commission is pegging its hopes on an "inspirational leader, inclusive in approach and decisive in action" filling the Lord Mayor type role - and says their new powers will include the ability to appoint their deputy and committee chairpersons, propose budgets and initiate policy and establish and maintain an appropriately staffed mayoral office.
The new Council would have all the powers and responsibilities of a regional council and territorial authority across the region, including the sole ability to set rates, their report says.
"There will be one-long term council community plan, one spatial plan, one district plan, one rating system, one rates bill, oine voice for Auckland," the report says.
Six elected local councils would operate underneath the new super city umbrella, but would operate in a way not seen before - providing services and acting as an advocate for residents, ratepayers and their communities while lacking the general powers held by local authorities elsewhere.
A shake-up of Auckland boundaries is also proposed; while those in the north and Hauraki gulf will stay the same, Franklin will be shifted into Waikato, while Tuakau, Pokeno and Mercer will be shifted out of Waikato and brought under the Auckland super city umbrella.
In its report, the Royal Commission says Auckland needs a single, region-wide unitary authority for strong and effective Auckland governance and to overcome fragmentation and coordination problems.
