The latest 'Super City' Bill

Rudman (NZH 7 Sept) is very perceptive. He is the only commentator to have looked past the government's media releases and analysed the latest 'Super City' Bill. Many Aucklanders scoffed at Rodney Hide's statements that the local boards would have the powers for dog control, graffiti and brothels. However, the select committee report denies local boards even those regulatory functions. In fact, with the additional removal of roading and water related responsibilities it is difficult to see what the boards will have power over except to consult, advocate and plead for their communities. Even the power to paint yellow lines on the road has been removed. A further mistake made by weekend commentators related to the at-large provision. The threat still remains with the potential for councillors' wards to be so large that they will be defacto at-large councillors with strong ties to their former cities but little relationship to their local communities. The current wording of the Bill is fraught and does nothing for enhancing local democracy or empowering local communities.

The Royal Commission detailed some powers that should be entrenched for local wards. Other submitters such as the North Shore City Council did likewise. MPs should take another look at those submissions before enacting this piece of legislation