Labour opposes boundaries
Auckland Mayor John Banks says the city’s new local government structure is “an inspired piece of work” while the Labour Party is committed to opposing it and the boundaries that go with it.
Mr Banks, who is going to stand for mayor of the new super city, said the proposition was coming together well and people would not lose their representation.
Manukau Mayor Len Brown, who is going to stand against Mr Banks, said he was pleased the commission had taken account of concerns about Auckland’s assets.
So Banks and Brown both say they are good boundaries, but why is Phil Twyford complaining:
“The proposed boundaries favour rural and the conservative northern and southern areas of Auckland while disadvantaging the isthmus and West Auckland,” he said.
“For example, the changes would give Rodney residents a third more voting power than a central Auckland resident, which is clearly unjust.”
The irony is that the Government actually planned to leave much of Rodney outside the boundaries, despite the fact it would mean more “conservative” voters. Rodney only had it all go back in after an outcry from locals.
But it is interesting that Twyford’s real concern are that Labour may not be able to gain control of the new Council.
Interesting the Chairwoman of the Local Government Commissioner has an active Labour Party backgrounds. Sue Piper was a Labour Wellington City Councillor. It is good to see she has done a professional job, rather than help Mr Twyford with his aim to have Labour control the Council.