Remember – March against National’s undemocractic supercity Monday 25th, noon, Queen St
Interesting to look back at National’s local government and Auckland policy before the election. Their 2005 policy was still up on their web site in early 2008:
National will advance local government reorganisation on a case-by-case basis. We do not subscribe to the view that big is necessarily better, and note that some of the highest consumer satisfaction surveys come from small councils. We believe that the greatest gains can be made by clarifying the roles between district and regional councils.
They seem to have changed their minds on the first point, because now we’re told that big is necessarily better. But they kept their word on clarifying the roles of councils. In Auckland regional councils get terminated, it doesn’t get any clearer than that.
Let’s have a look at National’s 2008 policy, which is more specific about Auckland:
Local government reform in Auckland should focus on whether there is good regional infrastructure, sound and consistent regulation, and economic growth throughout the region, as well as making sure each community in our biggest city feels appropriately represented . A National Government will work through these issues with local government to find a solution that will benefit both Auckland and ultimately the rest of New Zealand.
National will:
Support the Royal Commission providing an opportunity for people within the Auckland region to express their views about the structures that will best achieve the goals set out above.
Consult with Aucklanders once the findings of the Royal Commission are known..
Instead of supporting the work of the Royal Commission they chucked it in the bin. Instead of consulting with Aucklanders National and ACT have made it quite clear that the decisions have already been made. Instead of “making sure each community in our biggest city feels appropriately represented” they are ignoring community voices and the current democratically elected mayors that represent them. National’s pre-election promises and policies on local government and Auckland weren’t worth the paper they were printed on.
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