Auckland wants a voice and a choice

A survey released by Reid Research today confirmed Auckland’s serious discontent with the Government’s handling of the Super City amalgamation, the Green Party said today.

“It is clear that Aucklanders want more say in the process and are increasingly nervous about the concentration of power being given to the mayor,” Dr Russel Norman, Green Party Co-Leader, said today.
“Auckland wants, and deserves, a formal consultation on the Government’s ideas, which are significantly different from those of the Royal Commission. It’s time the Government listened.”

The survey found that 63% of Aucklanders think that the Government has consulted too little and 61% believe that the Mayor should have the same executive powers as now.

“Ramming unpopular and poorly consulted legislation through parliament is what the National Party campaigned against just six months ago, so why all the haste on the Super City and RMA reforms, both of which are set to deny ordinary citizens a voice in government?” Dr Norman asked.

“I don’t believe that Auckland is opposed to reform and improved regional coordination, but it is unacceptable to deny Aucklanders a voice and a choice in the way those changes take place.

“John Key has made a serious effort to appear both pragmatic and inclusive. It is high time he backed the illusion by reigning in his ACT Party Minister and formally consulting the people of Auckland,” Dr Norman said.