Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Cullen investment

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  • Graeme Edgeler,

    I/S - I can see that there might be some issues that would take longer with osrting out water and waste-water providers:

    Some Auckland councils provide water and wastewater services direct to customers, some do so through council controlled organisations and one provides these services under a franchise agreement with a private operator.

    Maybe they have to work out how they're going to break the news that they're nationalising (well, regionalising) that private operator...

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Graeme, presuming that's United Water in Papakura (I think), they're not. They will have an exemption to continue running.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    But since the power of existing councils will be constrained during the transition period, I doubt they would be permitted by Wellington to reintroduce some democracy into their plan.

    The obvious solution - a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    At the least, its a very sloppy editing job which makes their position uncertain - which doesn't help them.

    I'm with you, I/S -- it does look suspicious.

    Shame they've released it as a PDF, rather than one of those nice Word docs. "Track changes" would've been interesting here.

    In general, I think this is going to be a huge test of Rodney Hide's political skills -- a whole new, untested structure in place for next year's elections, with the ARC invited to help with its own extinction and at least three hostile mayors? Good luck.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    The obvious solution - a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

    That was kinda Bruce Jesson on the ARST. I can't think of an obvious candidate now.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    As @dubdotdash pointed out on teh Twitter, there is no community board for the Auckland CBD. That is extremely shortsighted.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    The obvious solution - a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

    Though on that note: who's the local equivalent of Boris Johnson?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    there is no community board for the Auckland CBD.

    How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be? The Local Govt Commission is going to define them?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be?

    He's got you there. I would think it highly likely that the Auckland CBD would get its own board. If you think it unlikely, then you don't think it needs one, and I'd be at a loss to see how it's short-sighted...

    Or do you think it should have a community board because giving it a local board would be giving it too much power.

    Thus ... the problem with Twitter :-)

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    He's got you there.

    He has. Pwned. I assumed Peter M knew something I didn't.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Phil Lyth,

    Graeme Edgeler achieves what I thought would never happen: getting me to register for comments. Anyway.

    I thought Graeme would at least be accurate in his area of expertise: yes, s55 of the Act has an MP vacating their seat when they become a public servant.

    But s3(2) of the Act specifically excludes board members from the definition of 'public servant':

    Where any person—
    (a) is appointed by the Crown, or the Government, or any
    department or agency of the Government to be a member of
    any commission, council, board, committee, or other body; or
    (b) is a member of any commission, council, board, committee,
    or other body of which any members receive any payment out
    of public money,—
    he or she shall not by reason of that membership be deemed
    to be a public servant, whether or not he or she receives any
    travelling allowances or travelling expenses.


    That said, it is certainly the done thing that sitting MPs do not serve on boards.

    Phil Lyth
    who may return to lurking for another three years

    Wellington • Since Apr 2009 • 458 posts Report Reply

  • ScottY,

    Though on that note: who's the local equivalent of Boris Johnson?

    To be truly like Boris he/she will have to be:

    1. an outright buffoon
    2. a failed former politician from a right wing political party
    3. prone to gaffes.

    Paul Henry, anyone?

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • Conor Roberts,

    there is no community board for the Auckland CBD.

    How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be? The Local Govt Commission is going to define them?

    The Royal Commission specifically proposed a standalone community board for the waterfront and the CBD. The National/Act rewrite says this:

    There will not be a separate community board for the waterfront and central city area.

    On another note, they've gutted the provisions for a new way of delivering social services, from today's report:

    However, the Government believes the Commission’s proposal of a social issues board would be problematic as it would create conflicting accountabilities for those involved with the board’s work, including government ministers.

    Sucky.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 57 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    To get less than 30 community boards you need 47,000 per board area or more. This suggests as a start point:

    Old Rodney District - 2
    Old North Shore City - 5
    Old Waitakere City - 4
    Old Auckland City - 9
    Old Manukau City + Papakura District - 8
    Old Franklin District - 2

    Given that the + or - 10% population rule does not apply strictly to community boards, this probably means yes to a CBD board

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    On another note, they've gutted the provisions for a new way of delivering social services, from today's report

    The regional economic development agencies have also been replaced by an economic development plan

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Pwned

    Ha, hardly - I was hoping for some inside info!

    There will not be a separate community board for the waterfront and central city area.

    Because it is likely to get it's own under the new structure.
    They have still specified Waiheke and Great Barrier to be two of the boards because of their geographic separation.

    I'm still hoping each of the 12 wards align to 2-3 Local Boards. That way, any elected ward councillor who doesn't at least assist in getting his 2-3 Local Board's proposals good airtime can be held accountable at the next election. Separating the boundaries would weaken this accountability.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Because it is likely to get it's own under the new structure.

    Ah. I see.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    Thinking of the wards - given the strict interpretation of the + or - 10% population rule as the present law requires... you can't get to 12 without significant re-drawing of the existing council boundaries.

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Phil Lyth
    who may return to lurking for another three years

    Oh, don't. You'd be good value. Just steer clear of Twitter.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Thinking of the wards - given the strict interpretation of the + or - 10% population rule as the present law requires... you can't get to 12 without significant re-drawing of the existing council boundaries.

    Clearly, it's going to be an interesting year.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Incoming!

    Sharples follows Hide on Checkpoint: "He's misrepresenting the view of the Maori Party members."

    The big guy clearly is not happy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    To get less than 30 community boards you need 47,000 per board area or more
    ...
    this probably means yes to a CBD board

    Except that I don't think the population of the CBD even hits 40k, never mind being nearer 50. Maybe CBD+Parnell or +Ponsonby? Or is "CBD" being defined as encompassing College Hill and bits of Newton? Say, Grafton Gully/Ponsonby ridge/waterfront/Newton Rd?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Or is "CBD" being defined as encompassing College Hill and bits of Newton? Say, Grafton Gully/Ponsonby ridge/waterfront/Newton Rd?

    Oh God. It could be that bizarre non-sequitur so beloved of the real-estate trade: "City/Pt Chevalier".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Maybe CBD+Parnell or +Ponsonby? Or is "CBD" being defined as encompassing College Hill and bits of Newton? Say, Grafton Gully/Ponsonby ridge/waterfront/Newton Rd?

    Hobson Community Board is about 50k people, and is CBD plus eastern-bits. Out to Epsom/Remuera.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    In fact, based on Roger's analysis of 9 Local Boards within existing Auckland City boundaries, you're basically talking the community boards, of which there are 10. Looks like their population coverage varies quite a bit though (30-odd to 70-odd thousand)

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

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