The Hon Sir Muir Chilwell, Dr Cliff Tasman-Jones and Probus members, good morning and thank you for the opportunity to talk to you today about changes to the governance of our great city. I will also touch on some wider issues related to ratepayer concerns.

First I need to say it's great to be in beautiful St Heliers.  In many ways St Heliers encapsulates what's really good about Auckland.  The wonderful bay with sparkling blue water (on most days anyway) with a true village atmosphere and a vibrant community is something we can all be proud of.  It underlines what is good about Auckland.

Of course there are many other things too.

The question that I have been focused on since I took up my role as Minister of Local Government, and I have to say long before that, is how do we make Auckland an even better city.

That's what is driving me in moving forward my ideas for Auckland.  You will hear a lot from politicians yes, me too about finances and planning and efficiency and core services and the need for better governance. All these things are important.

But the most important issue is this one simple thing "a better life for ourselves and for our families."

What do I mean by a better life?

First of all I am interested in freedom and in democracy. And I don't think the citizens of Auckland have the democratic freedoms they need to influence the course of local government.

Now I know that might seem to be a contradiction.

You might say, for example, that you are taking away seven councils and replacing them with one that has less democracy.

My answer to that is this: democracy at the local level is about choices.

In the last local elections, and the one before that, and the ones before that, no one was able to vote for an effective transport system because no councillor or council could deliver. It doesn't matter what the candidates said "once on the council they lacked the real power to do anything effective." So electors then didn't really have a choice on transport.

To have a choice, we need to be able to vote for a council able to make regional decisions that will fix regional problems. Then we'll have a choice.

I would go further.  "Why shouldn't St Heliers benefit from a better transport service? Why shouldn't the good folk of St Heliers be able to get the benefit of an integrated, well planned transport system."

A system that offers St Heliers people a true choice, where using public transport is efficiently operated and delivered  and is a viable alternative to travelling in the car if that's what they want.

The ACT Party stands for choice. That's why I am so keen on and keep talking about local democracy.

Keeping with the theme of local democracy, we have supported local boards in Auckland to work alongside the new Auckland council.

I expect ward councillors will have a strong relationship with their local boards and citizens constituents.

The role of the local boards is to advocate effectively for their local constituents.  The boards will also have input into the Auckland Council's plans.

Under the proposals I am putting forward, the people in Auckland can vote for a Council that has real power to enhance their lives and address the regional problems we need to solve now.  I am talking here about the consequences of fractious decision making over many decades that have held Auckland back.

We owe it to our children and grand-children to get it right and start moving Auckland forward. And that is why I am so enjoying being Minister of Local Government.

If I get support for the proposals I am putting forward, the people of Auckland will have a direct say about how big the council is and how much of their money it spends.

This is important in beefing up ratepayer democracy.  The measures that exist now are largely retrospective, for example, complaints to the Ombudsmen or voting in local body elections.  By the time elections come round, it is sometimes too late for the council to pull out of projects.

That's why we are looking at using polls or referenda to get ratepayer views on proposed expenditure or rates.

Over time I believe this will lead to a better relationship between ratepayers and councils.

I have talked about some of the benefits, especially in the area of transport. But there are other benefits as well.

We will see a more integrated approach to Auckland council planning. Instead of the current seven long-term council community plans we will see a single plan for the Auckland Council.

Meanwhile the Government has agreed in principle that drinking water and wastewater services in urban areas should be delivered by Watercare Services Limited.  

So, as you can see, there are distinct benefits resulting from the proposed changes to Auckland Governance.

And the good news is that we are well on the way to seeing those benefits flow through.

I am passionate about this city. Auckland is the best city in the world and I want to see it even better.

A prosperous, confident and efficient Auckland is not only good for Aucklanders but for all New Zealanders.

We have an opportunity to achieve that vision for Auckland and New Zealand.  The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance provided a framework for the government to build on and that's exactly what we have done.  They listened to many people and groups during their consultation.

They came up with many recommendations the Government agreed with, especially the main one, for a unitary local authority.  We decided there needed to be changes to the recommended second tier of governance, thus our proposal for local boards.

In closing I would like to reiterate that it is action time.  I invite you to join me on the journey to making Auckland even greater.

I am looking forward to your questions and perhaps a lively discussion. Thanks again for inviting me.  It's been a pleasure to join you today in St Heliers.

ends