The question: to whom? This bit I can't see.

Same as it ever was?

In response to questioning from the select committee on the 3rd bill, I said that the Transition Authority had modelled new relationships between local Boards and CCOs on exactly the same relationship between community boards and Auckland City Council; a one way relationship where local boards…

We don't even know who…

The agency designing the Super City is working on winding up 16 major arts and other regional facilities to create a single major regional facilities council-controlled organisation for the Super City.

The new CCO, with a board…

Mr Joyce hit back at calls to shelve the transport CCO. "There hasn't been anything so far which suggests that it is the wrong move overall because this is a delivery agency ... Auckland will need a good agency focused on delivering the projects that…

In honour of Rodney, I'm calling this The New Accountability.

And don't forget the word 'Transparent'.

In fact, it's so transparent, I can see right through it. Wow, the term 'democratic deficit' springs to mind, again.

ARC councillor Joel Cayford finds his council seems to have "agreed" with the government on plans for Queens Wharf that he's never heard of.

In honour of Rodney, I'm calling this The New Accountability.

Government agencies including Treasury advised against putting the crucial transport function into a CCO, not integrated with planning of…

There’s no transparency and accountability, and that’s why transport…

From the Auckland Trains blog:

How do you find time to read all these blogs? Oh, that's right, it's your job. Carry on...

Hide defended the government appointment of the new key agency staff saying that it wouldn’t be feasible for the new mayor and supercouncil to be elected on November 1 and then go about appointing people – but if they don’t like the Cabinet appointees, “they…

Rodney Hide claims that CCO board members will be appointed "by Cabinet" and "in consultation with Auckland" – and that the new Council can sack them right away if they like. Shame that's not what his 3rd Bill says.

It's also a shame that his claims were allowed to pass…

This is not a story that will lack for sources.

Well, I certainly hope Bernard Orsman is going to be a little more temperate and sceptical that he's being here:

Demolition of the popular Kingdon St railway station in Newmarket over the Christmas holidays was a foretaste of what Aucklanders…

Rodney Hide claims that CCO board members will be appointed "by Cabinet" and "in consultation with Auckland" – and that the new Council can sack them right away if they like. Shame that's not what his 3rd Bill says.

Many…

Suggest to him people are worried the CCOs won't talk to one another and he says: "You're being provocative. I'm not sure people are worried." He disagrees, too, that…

a lot of people involved in the process are starting to talk about how troubled they are by what they're seeing

I believe that's been true for some time – what's changed seems to be people are hearing it now.

Matthew, the tone has shifted recently

Yes, it has, and I don't mind that the Herald has used a more restrained tone until recently.

But there's something quite extraordinary going on in the background of this story, and that's that a lot of people involved in the process are starting…

None of the implications are that surprising if you actually questioned smug pronouncements from those in power – but then our journos and their bosses seem…

If traffic policy is about harm minimisation, then surely the obvious priority is putting fewer drivers and pedestrians in harm's way. And the simplest way to do that is to take as many vehicles, drivers and passengers as possible…

Funny how the Harold waited until after the select committee hearings to finally get on board.

They probably didn't want to influence the process.

Ehehehahahahah I'm so funny.

Pretty much everyone else…

And the CCOs still have to work to the strategic plan set by those elected representatives

Bollocks, unfortunately – please follow what's been going on a bit more closely before you so blithely dismiss what I'm saying here.

On Friday, Mr Joyce said Auckland Transport was being modelled on the Transport Agency – the Government's transport operating arm which is run by a board.

Like everything, he said, that agency had its strengths and weaknesses, "but I think…

Eh? I responded to Craig's comment that "at least Aucklanders will still get to vote for their regional representatives at the end of the year" – compared with Chch if commissioners are appointed.

It was my comment, not Craig's, and your response was totally irrelevant. Whether or not CCOs will…

The ARC is opposed to the provision in the Bill that repeals section 77 of the Local Government Amendment Act 1992, which required the…

Auckland Transport will be preparing the Regional Land Transport Programme, and Auckland Council will be providing over 50% of its rates revenue for the implementation of that programme. However, the Council won’t even have decision rights on what is included in the…

It seems entirely relevant – if not widely known – that over half of the Auckland region's…

Was I unclear that the elected representatives will have less control of the proposed new arrangements than they do now?

ARTA is currently legally bound to follow the strategic direction that ARC's elected members decree. The lastest supercity Bill removes that obligation for the new Transport CCO. It is proposed that they will have no meaningful local democratic accountability and their…

Pop quiz: what % of total supercity budget spend will be controlled by the new unelected Transport agency?

Did you get to vote for anyone on the board of ARTA, Sacha? Don't let the outrage get swamped by the truthiness there...

as much as portions of the country just love the idea of Auckland getting thoroughly fucked by "the man",

Which portions are they? This Wellingtonian is absolutely concerned on your behalf, as is his Hamiltonian father when they talked last.

Various communities, particularly in the South Island, consider Auckland to…

as much as portions of the country just love the idea of Auckland getting thoroughly fucked by "the man",

Which portions are they? This Wellingtonian is absolutely concerned on your behalf, as is his Hamiltonian father when they talked last.

at least Aucklanders will still get to vote for their regional representatives at the end of the year.

CCOs, much? Pop quiz: what % of total supercity budget spend will be controlled by the new unelected Transport agency?

they ought better be very scared about what's going to happen to…

How about, "Don't you worry about that!"

Yes, well. Had lunch with a friend from Wellington last week, and said to her that as much as portions of the country just love the idea of Auckland getting thoroughly fucked by "the man", they ought better be very scared about what's…

Worse is that this doesn't actually seem to be getting much coverage by the MSM. Wherefore art thou, Granny's banner headlines "Democracy under attack!"?

How about, "Don't you worry about that!"

...and am I the only one whose immediate reaction to the ECan situation was a prolonged expletive?

and the unreal disconnect and hypocrisy of Bob Parker and the Mayors playing "witch-finders" – Parker is hardly one to talk about proper procedure – guess he'll be taking a large stock of…

Mind you, a venue like Kingsland's main street that can only hold 1/60th of the Eden Park crowd would suit Act down to the ground..

People keep saying this without pausing to consider that Nixon Park is only 600 or 700m away.

Describing what the local boards do as "decisions" is a gross misrepresentation – they are only recommendations to the Council, they…

A planner for party central had come around to his bar asking what he paid staff and where he got security, Mr Sissons said.

Whoever would run party central would poach local staff, and with a…

A survey conducted by an independent online research company for Heart of the City showed on average 80…

Party Central is Kingsland

ARC chair disagrees, will be shaking his funky corduroys elsewhere.

"Believe me, it's going to happen ... In 2011 I'm going to be down there on Queens Wharf partying like it's 1999," Mr Lee said.

Mind you, a venue like Kingsland's main street that can only hold…

Phil Twyford's summary – they get to choose the colour of the carpet.

Transport linkages and scenarios discussed briefly on AucklandTrains blog.

Keep Auckland moving forward

ban reversing

Worse they created the central bus exchange with a KILL ZONE on Lichfield St

Wait till they move it west down Lichfield St to the proposed new Kathmandu shop site and then dig it below the swampy city's water table! For whatever bizarre reason...

Also looking forward to the proposed…

Still, I can't get over that Auckland Local Boards role I linked above. Because hey, who wouldn't want to be the political meat in the sandwich between angry Local Boards who've just realised how powerless they are, and a monolithic Council likely to ignore any suggestion you pass…

Keep Auckland moving forward and drive Auckland Transport’s public transport strategies to maximise the use of public transport in…

...the supposed "benefit" of overturning democracy – quick action – just isn't there.

So what's the real reason then? The review team gives it away when they accuse ECan of focusing too much on protecting the environment and having an "imbalance" between environmental,…

Creech has conflicts of interest, Low has conflicts, they match the National aligned Ecan councillor…

However, the Government is wavering over such a drastic step as removing the council. It would require a special act of Parliament, since neither Hide…

...and has plans for scores (no kidding) of Hydro schemes in Canty, in part to feed the industrial dairy machine. And everyone knows this is Kiwi fruit with tits on

let's have done with it and call it
Flesh Water Management! from now on...

Ecan operate well and have turned down applications and prosecuted thieving farmers for their theft of water. Dr Bryan Jenkins seems to me to be a bit right leaning and has plans for scores (no kidding) of Hydro schemes in Canty, in part…

Central Govt owns $120 Bill in assets.
Local Govt owns $108 Bill in assets.
(Numbers plucked, willing to be corrected.)

National campaigned on no asset sales, this was explicitely National Assests. And so Rodney is targeting Local Govt Assets,…

You're right, Sacha; drafts are covered by the OIA/LGOIMA. You just have to ask for them. Getting drafts can be uesful sometimes, especially when you suspect a major position has suddenly changed in the middle of the policy development process.

Not quite James. When you put in a request the…

is that Kai Tahu will start fighting politically.

god I hope so. Some one's got to...

I don't rate him, & he often gets his facts wrong, but could we at least hear a squeak about this?

Ecan governance at issue, 8 months out from elections

What elections? – Idiot/Savant reports that the govt will just cancel them. Polluting farmers for the win.

Under the guise of fixing the dysfunctional regional council, they want it simply replaced by a special commission appointed by the Minister, with elections…

You can tell a decent society by its number of polo grounds as polo is only played by decent people like princess and kings an stuff.

and the great wheel turns
I think I'm gonna chukka....

(No Huey, not WoodChukkas...)

(No Rufus, not Chukka Khan...)

actually it takes 2 chukkas…

A number have had warnings and dispensations for their conflicts of interests, not turning up, and casual racism.

So a new body with appointees looking after the most widely irrigated region & 70% of NZs fresh water is to be appointed.

Red…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRCw-Hfnpxo

report emblazoned with "Draft". Apparently that makes the document outside the sphere of the requests.

Can't the OIA/LGOIMA request include the phrase "and any drafts" or suchlike?

You're right, Sacha; drafts are covered by the OIA/LGOIMA. You just have to ask for them. Getting drafts can be uesful sometimes, especially…

The damage (her job) is done now.

This person has just told Bfm, it is their fault they let Phil Goff say what he wants, when asked to comment regarding her stepping down,of which she has refused.
Sometimes the strangest of things can make ones day :)
BFM ,the Bomb!…

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10627133

will somebody please think of the horses.

jus' sayin' that
in the main
the rein falls
on the mane
of the playin'

poollooppolo
plop

I have a problem with water

It dilutes te whisky (good deal).

Is there waterpolo in your family?

Strangely enough I get asked that a lot. The answer is no, but I am an avid swimmer.

I hear the mysterious Kearneys who played (very well I am told) waterpolo were from Takapuna Grammar. I was a Westlake "boy".

Very juicy contract with no need to undergo a tender process.

So long as it's only for that first election – watch for creeping attempts to embed cosy deals and self-serving arangements beyond the next one too.

Is there waterpolo in your family?

On the tax cut waterbed? Whoops, cross-thread.

Is there waterpolo in your family?

Somehow in my mind this came across as enquiring about a STI.

Datacom I think you'll find. Although both have NZ Post as a significant shareholder though IIRC.

Datamail are the dominant player in the print and mailhouse space but have been looking…

Nothing wrong with promoting and debating political ideas that most don't support -

Well of course Sacha, I was trying for anyone to explain why this is a good idea, and as you probably remember ,I have been against it for some time. This isn't debating political ideas, it is…

Boy, you're really lucky my cranky pants are at the cleaners — but you're being rather naive if you think the lines between local and central government have ever been that tidy.

Then pray tell, Craig, which of our local body polly tubbies is behind this nefarious scheme? Hint: Rodney's…

I reckon calling someone a liar and a sock puppet is a pretty shitty thing to do

Agreed. Nick has made some substantive comments here and a single off-hand one which I personally had no trouble reading as sarcastic and ironic. I appreciate his clarity about his relationship with Act…

I'm not talking about local body, though. This shit is all about national politics

Boy, you're really lucky my cranky pants are at the cleaners — but you're being rather naive if you think the lines between local and central government have ever been that tidy.

Yes he does, I…

replaced by a local income tax

You mean a poll tax, then?

Councils have largely focused on managing use of land and what's built on it, hence their income levies being based on those things.

I'm sure Act would love to replace that with a flat tax on people, to…

report emblazoned with "Draft". Apparently that makes the document outside the sphere of the requests.

Can't the OIA/LGOIMA request include the phrase "and any drafts" or suchlike?

A trusted source suggests that OIA requests are being defeated by having every single report emblazoned with "Draft". Apparently that makes the document outside the sphere of the requests.

ATA seems to be staffed with every ex ACC staffer with an axe to grind against the ACC…

this guy uses only the water that falls on his roof in his nice terraced house in Sydney.

Yeah, except that there will be a substantial amount of nutrients and pathogens leaching from his "sustainable" sewage disposal system into the ground. Especially if that system's not properly maintained (I'm sure…

I do not represent the ACT Party

Yes he does, I reckon. If a person is an official of a party (especially a really small one like ACT), their opinions, like it or not, are pretty much representative of how the party "thinks". It's not a hat you can take…

Thanks Nick, finally a bit of honesty. I will be quoting you on that. I feel a letter to Rodney to confirm your statement.

What she said.

You mean you have a problem with elected officials having the ability to influence/fire the officials that are nominally working under them?

Democracy…

Matthew: I'd disrespectfully suggest, that the kind of turn-outs we so like to sneer at in American presidential elections can't be blamed on "Rodders". If local body politicians are suffering from a credibility crisis, then it's time to get real and serious.

I'm not talking about local body, though. This…

but I've got the Power, to vote.

No

You don't.

You got elected to something Craig?

"Fornication-- but that was in another country / And besides, the wench is dead."

No it's not, Steve — perhaps Nigel could be extended the same presumption of good faith as Mikaere and Chris Dempsey? Or myself, for that matter?

You got elected to something Craig? Dude, if you're standing for popular election to anything you've got my vocal, but possibly counterproductive support... it…

I wonder if Rodders and the other members of the VRWC care, or even realise, how much harm this shit's doing to the wider population's trust in the democratic process.

Doubt it. If you believe decisiveness is what governance means, then democracy is an inconvenience and the more citizens who…

The reason Auckland City water bills are higher is they include the cost of the waste water disposal while Waitakere doesnt. But they do add a charge on to the rates.
You will find Auckland City rates bills are way lower.

Thanks for explaining Steve – my rates are a…

So what's this SM system all about?

From what I've heard, it's pretty much FPP under the guise of proportionality by adding in list seats.

As the tail wags the dog, perhaps we should ask some serious questions about what is truly representational government.

And while we ponder this, I present…

.I appreciate Nick coming here — and I do know where he's from — and I think piling on to him is undignified. So perhaps we could stick to attacking each other's arguments.

Piling?There was no piling (with all due respect)Merely thanking him for his honesty (tongue/cheek) by using tongue…

The reason Auckland City water bills are higher is they include the cost of the waste water disposal while Waitakere doesnt. But they do add a charge on to the rates.
You will find Auckland City rates bills are way lower.…

No, Steve, if it looks and quacks like a duck, and is lame in the bargain then it's the Labour party...

I stand corrected, is there a Goff type of duck?. I daren't upset Biffer Mallard.

I should have guessed that venturing into the lions den waving red meat around…

There's always the Billy Bragg approach. This would have been better on the Tax threads, but never too late for some Billy, right? Takes a minute to start, but it's worth…

With it taking three to five years to merge the IT functions of all…

One man one vote, in this case Mr Hide is the one man.

I was wondering how long it would take someone to get to that one.

I also think it would be a mistake to think Cabinet is necessarily happy with Hide.

"Tarred, feathered, hoist by his own repulsive petard and run out of Wellington on a rail" was the curious expression I was privileged to hear.

Money may have no limits but I've got the Power, to vote.

Apparently not... Phil Twyford on bFm today. Many interesting things to say.

venturing into the lions den waving red meat around can cause problems

Only if you're an unfamiliar handler and you don't say where the meat is from. We're used to the smell of the regulars by now.

The new transport CCO couldn't even operate until that was done

Oh yes it could – witness all the other operational functions being staffed up before the elected members are voted in.

We could always.. gasp.. make the Transport functions part of the Council instead (like they are everywhere else…

I won't comment on the rest of your reply as it's likely to be quoted in Parliament if I do!

Suffice to say, I think your points are valid and I…

I think that's for us to decide. If it looks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck then it could be a member of the ACT Party.

No, Steve, if it looks and quacks like a duck, and is lame in the bargain then it's the Labour party... if…

I'd be much happier with elected Super City Mayor Banks making these decisions than I am the ATA making them.

For now, I honestly think there's a problem here that transcends established left-right politics.

Same.

Strong words. Is everyone posting on PAS required to wear all their hats? Or just those chosen by a quorum of senior members?

Hmmm. I've been out for a few hours, unfortunately. I appreciate Nick coming here — and I do know where he's from — and I think piling…

http://www.sustainablehouse.com.au/

It…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z33tH-JdPDg&feature=related

No it's not, Steve — perhaps Nigel could be extended the same presumption of good faith

We're making plans for that guy. Or were you referring to Nick?
Well. Far be it from me to have an opinion on whether people should stand by…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFd5Cci_pE4

Unless of course if it's a Mallard.

lolnui

Unless of course if it's a Mallard.

Point to Glenn I think.

I mean, ACT is at 2% or thereabouts and is not even represented in Cabinet

Makes me wonder why their leader gets to play with Auckland like it's Lego.

I do not represent the ACT Party in any manner whatsoever while espousing opinions on this blog

I think that's for us to decide.

Strong words. Is everyone posting on PAS required to wear all their hats? Or just those chosen by a quorum of senior members?

I think that's for us to decide.

No it's not, Steve — perhaps Nigel could be extended the same presumption of good faith as Mikaere and Chris Dempsey? Or myself, for that matter?

No it's not, if the guy says his views are his own I think you have to accept that.

At least he stuck to the topic, the relevance of Norman and Malcolm Douglas' political affiliations to this debate is a little…

So Craig, Are we up for Parliament TV today, even if only for the cat fights? :)

Bloody Lockwood Smith being all grown-up and even-handedly firm — that's all I have to say. What a buzz-kill...

Russell, your fears are real. Other commentators here have put in their own 2 cents regarding the 'nature' of the reforms and yes, their fears are very real.

Whipping off said hat.

lighthearted banter

Hey, I can spot and appreciate a tongue in a cheek. The rest is serious stuff. And some of us have never belonged to any party.

Honestly folks, take chill pills.

.

It's lighthearted banter. Isn't it?

Work…

said in total jest of course, with tongue firmly in cheek

So you admit ACT's plans for the management of one quarter of New Zealand are a total joke?

finally a bit of honesty

the VRWC is famous for hiding in plain sight. :)

Oversight? Who needs it that would just slow the one man down right?

That's an accurate summary of the core principle. Auckland (currently rated one of the top cities in the world to live in, remember) could "perform better" if only it were run as a business – by the…

I don't come by here very often, please don't ruin the times I do visit.

Was that necessary? Let the man get his snark on a little if he wants to – its not like its the first recorded use of…

Irrespective Martin, we'd still have elected politicians appointing directors. It's just that, if it's Brown, it's the "better" elected politician, or one on the "proper" side at least.

That's what this is really about – the Labour/Left crowd are shut out for a few years and don't like it.

Which…

Link:

This CCO would include investments or CCOs not held by the other CCOs proposed in this structure with a view to maximising returns for the Council. It is not proposed…

I have an idea for the Herald, – perhaps they can run stories on the SuperCity under banner headlines of "DEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK".

Or have they already cried wolf on that one?

I see what you did there.

No director is going to go near a CCO if their appointment…

corporatising and privatising Auckland's assets and stealing Auckland's democracy from its ratepayers.
You heard it here first

Thanks Nick, finally a bit of honesty. I will be quoting you on that. I feel a letter to Rodney to confirm your statement.

Thoughts?

It's just democracy in action.

One man one vote, in this case Mr Hide is the one man.

On a serious note – it is kind of amazing that people think Auckland politics isn't important enough to have proper oversight. Over a million people and a budget bigger than…

Point 1: it takes time to find directors.

Point2: it takes even longer to recruit them.

Point 3: I'd prefer the directors are in place before November 2010, rather than 9 months later (the expected timeframe it'll take to find, scrutinise and appoint).

we should subvert democracy because its hard..?…

Never even heard of any others.

That's 'cos they're all working behind the scenes, under the radar as it were, corporatising and privatising Auckland's assets and stealing Auckland's democracy from its ratepayers.

You heard it here first

(BTW, an interesting survey crossed my desk the other day if anyone has an interest...)

Any idea who's running that survey Slarty?

Thank you Epsom........

Point2: it takes even longer to recruit them.

Point 3: I'd prefer the directors are in place before November 2010, rather than 9 months later (the expected timeframe it'll take to find, scrutinise and appoint).

No director is going to go near…

Thoughts?

Add a secessionist movement and you got yourself a movie deal.

Were you thinking Burton Or Gilliam?

we'd still have elected politicians appointing directors. It's just that, if it's Brown, it's the "better" elected politician, or one on the "proper" side at least.

That's what this is really about – the Labour/Left crowd are shut out for a few years and don't like it.

Huge difference between…

You really think there'd be a stink about CCOs doing business in secret with unelected Directors and little linkage with the Council if that's not what is proposed in the Thirds Bill?

It's right there in the name: "Hide".

Between him and Simon Power and Mr Key, they appear to…

Irrespective Martin, we'd still have elected politicians appointing directors. It's just that, if it's Brown, it's the "better" elected politician, or one on the "proper" side at least.

That's what this is really about – the Labour/Left crowd are shut out for a few years and don't like it.

Bollocks.…

A direct report into the Mayor's office? Good god. Brown should just get on with getting Auckland moving, instead of bothering himself with corporate governance. I mean, the faux outrage against Rodney Hide is nothing when compared to this statement.

The new structure has been designed – by Hide and…

Or have they already cried wolf on that one?

Just as a year ago, some of us were up in arms around these here parts regarding the fact that Hide has our (Aucklanders ) $28 billion worth of assets at his grubby little greedy hands, and not many reports on that either,

Sofie: I've lived up here for two…

That's what this is really about – the Labour/Left crowd are shut out for a few years and don't like it.

at a cost of about $35 million, for (I'm told) very modest gains in efficiency

I tend to use a simple formula since joining the public sector.

Look at the estimate. This is akin to merging 8 utility firms with multiple billing systems, and 1.4million customers. I would estimate a…