As can be seen and verified in the ARC 30 year Transport Strategy, their transport 'visions'  never reduce congestion and continue to add overheads onto the community and while not included in the Chart figures, also add the cost of transport subsidies each year.  

 

Their proposals involve waiting for 15 years for the $1.5 to $6.5 billion to start their 'visions'.  That wait will cost Aucklanders $30 billion in congestion.

 

No matter how hard Candidates Banks, Brown  and Williams work to get new events and increase tourism, they will not approach the $30 billion benefit the community could gain with my proposed policies.  Add increases in tourists and events to my proposed future for Auckland shown in the chart and Auckland's economy will very soon start to build and make Auckland a wealthy city.

 

Southern Suburbs

At present no shellfish can be eaten from this eastern corner of the harbour.  This dredging to approx 8m will provide a much larger volume of water to assist scouring out even the main Manukau Harbour.   Some generation of electricity will be possible with this tidal flow.  It is also envisaged that locks will be used to allow the passage of smaller recreational boats and barges from one side to the other at a lowered level.

Early development would see a paved, grassed and treed walkway, cycleway and horse riding track all round the harbour waterfront.  On the north side an international 2.5km rowing course can be provided with Rowing clubrooms at the eastern end by the finish line.  A floating divide to separate spectator boats would be used on the south side of the course to flatten waves, as is done elsewhere in England.  This new facility can be used for kayaking and Wakas as well.

At the same time the main reclamation would become a major public square called, say Auckland Square. (Naming suggestions could be called for from Aucklanders.) It could provide a square to love, a New Zealand version of the square at Schonbrunn Palace, (see Andre Rieu’s concert at Schonbrunn on his DVD), the Fisherman’s Bastion on the West bank of the Danube in Budapest in Hungary, worth looking up, and the feeling of the magnificent area under the Eiffel Tower, with a Maori lookout at the center at the waters edge. 

Access to the Auckland Square can be made from an elevated vehicle access way from Sylvia Park Rd, with other major access from Mahunga Drive and James Fletcher Drive.  The rail system all passes by the east side of Aucklanders Square and existing walk ways can be easily extended to provide access.  A road access can also be provided from the extension of Portage Rd if required. 

From the square you would look to the West with the magnificent sunsets as the sun goes down at the Manukau heads, with the water lapping at the stone edge, suitable for tying up boats.  Northwest One Tree Hill and the Skytower beckon.

Convention Centre

And at the head/south of the square, the Banquet Hall or Convention Centre for Auckland could be built in three to four years.  A magnificent building to take 5000 at a conference, able to cater for balls, displays and conferences, with possibly a glassed over center with cafes, looking south to the heads.  To the east an amphitheatre for 2000 people.  And further east on a raised section to visually close off the existing railway station, a maori pa site could be built which would look out across the Manukau and record the early arrival and portage across Auckland.  It would also provide a visual link with near by Mt Richmond.  There would be adequate space for other NZ nationalities to showcase their cultures there as well.

To the south of the Ballroom over the wide canal to the portage, will be room for up to 10 football fields and parking with the possible option of a 100,000 seat stadium at a later date when funds allow.

Mangere Promenade

On the south side, the pathway will track the edge of the reclamation and the water and a Mangere ‘Riviera’ with hotels, apartments and shops fronting the new water facing north to look at One Tree Hill and the city, a magnificent view.  A new Manukau version of ‘Mission Bay’ with the square and Centre to the east.

Further along would be several Marinas with many houses and apartments close to the boats.

All the existing shore line will be planted with suitable large trees and made into a walkway while some of the mangroves will be taken back and the water deepened to provide water for boats from the reclaimed land.  Passage for boats will extend around all of the east and south reclamations.  Because of the proposed planting all around the existing water edge and similarly on the reclaimed land, noise from industry or from the Square would be contained. 

The pathways around the harbour can be made suitable for walking, cycling, and horse riding and all will be invited to contribute to making this revitalisation of our Manukau Harbour  an important part of our new Auckland super city.  Further widespread consultation and continuing working together with local iwi is envisaged.

Southern Auckland

 

South Auckland is developing as a major center at Manukau and as a major market area.  The Local Boards will engage with the development of their area and will provide an enhancement of the cultural mix that is Manukau.   

 

 

As in any fast growing centre, facilities need to be provided.  It should be noted that  Auckland lacks a major athletic stadium.   There is scope for such a facility to be built together with associated sports training facilities perhaps to serve the region.   

 

 

Plans from the Local Boards will be watched with interest to see proposed development across Manukau to create an area of the new Auckland City with elegance and distinction.

 

Region Wide Development

 

Wth the amalgamation of eight Councils there are now very distinct rural and urban areas in the new super City.  I believe the major proportion of rates collected from the 13 Wards should be spent in the Ward collected.  I also believe that long neglected areas need priority of attention.

 

Maintaining and rejuvenating the natural and built environment using affordable sustainable methods would provide some extra job opportunities.

 

Outlying Areas of Auckland North and South

 

There has been much adverse talk in the geographically large Rodney and Franklin Wards of control from Auckland urban areas.  They believe they have been and will be milked for rates to support Aucklands profligate ways.  

 

They are also concerned that their two rural Councillors are likely to be outvoted by 18 urban Councillors and their viewpoint is that voting should be representative of land area as well as population.  Arguements can also be made for rating for certain facilities be related to the distance or travel time to the facility.

 

Under the Local Boards, proposals will come from YOUR residents to suit YOUR areas.  I would urge you to think in a wide vision.   Rodney and Franklin are becoming the scenic countryside of the new Auckland, areas which many Aucklanders have loved and do love.  

 

In examining what development will suit the North and South Wards, whether historical, heritage, tourist, natural, horticultural or agricultural development, it should be conceived to maximise the natural beauty and use of facilities.  Bringing some of these projects to fruition could create new local jobs.  If you attract more of the urban population to visit, new income producing ideas  could provide economic turn around and the financial turnover to keep jobs and development in these more rural areas.   

 

All this planning will be new to us all.   Getting the right mix of local design, local facilities and regional facilities will be a steep learning curve.   We will all learn.   But we can set out with good will to examine alternatives.  To explore what ifs.

 

Auckland has not had a tradition of this type of continuing conversation within the Auckland family.  Lets make our new Auckland a special place where we learn an Auckland philosophy that caters for different areas but has an Auckland character and feeling that together we find fair and pleasurable.

Western Area Waitakere

 

The Waitakere is distinctive with their forest growth.  This superlative feature with its bush fresh air is a joy to everyone, particularly visitors.  There has been a move to an eco city which ahould be extended to appropriate parts of Auckland City.   

 

There should be strong emphasis on the bush, promoting and enhancing the natural flora and fauna, while featuring the views back to the city by building ‘bush’ motels and hotels to exploit the advantages with botanical tours, lectures and experiences.  For this to succeed new transport needs to be provided, allowing 20-25 minute travel from the treed foothills into the CBD and to and from the airport to facilitate these ventures.  This will be included in the 10 year programme of the spatial plan.

 

Auckland Central

CBD

Discussion needs to take place on the role of the CBD in the life of the city in the next 30-40 years.   Will areas be kept as they are?  Will development be allowed to occur that would increase the height and density of areas like Karangahape Rd?   I intend to initiate an in depth and considered design analysis of the CBD to consider the role it should take and the way changes should occur to handle the next 30 years increase in population.

 

Auckland City Central has suffered from increasingly difficult access and this has accelerated the growth of other centers across Auckland.  It is my intention to include in my spatial plan that access to the CBD of the region of Auckland City be seriously increased to enable the CBD to serve the Auckland region and to facilitate movement across Auckland.  This means that there will be a need for more density and depth in the Auckland City area.   An increase in the building height possible needs to be looked at in view of the development that is expected in the next 30 years.   

 

I believe we should welcome a growing Auckland and provide an environment that encourages innovation in our cities.  Much of what we think should not be done would rule out all the development that we consider marvelous in other countries.   We must discuss more alternatives and consider them well before we restrict what seems different.  Our Auckland CBD is no fantastic place.  While it is nice, most Aucklanders outside the center don’t want to go near it at the moment.

 

The West Side by the Harbour Bridge, Tank Farm

Access here would be enhanced with the addition of the new passenger transport mode doubling the existing capacity of the Harbour Bridge.  The north of Fanshawe St needs the provision of a large car park.  It could be within a building and supply useful patronage for surrounding commercial outlets, commuters to the Tank Farm area and for cars from the North to save them entering the city.   At present the Viaduct is short of parking to keep the commercial life thriving.  This parking will assist in all regards.  The new transport mode will enable patrons of the parking from the North to access the city quickly and will provide convenient transport within the city.

 

Queen St and Auckland Waterfront Development 

Much enjoyment has been provided outside Auckland at the ‘Party on the wharf’ episode.  What was missing has been the required in-depth discussions of the needs and options possible.  Auckland has always resisted quick decisions that miss the point.  Why was the new cruise terminal not considered on the other side of the existing terminal?  That the present cruise ship terminal is not now satisfactory because of the hotel and other commercial development that was approved, is hardly a good omen for the same thing not to happen with the proposed new wharf use.

 

Auckland began with the wharf.  Current talk of removing the wharf to allow ‘enjoyment’ of the waters edge when Tamaki Drive is all presently available and the Tank Farm also is programmed for this purpose, is premature.  There is much analysis to occur and the New CCO handling this area will have much work to do before beginning to consider such alternatives.

 

Queen St Elevated Promenade to Waterfront

I will be proposing that there be constructed a walkway at approx verandah height along both sides of Queen St.  This would allow the doubling of retail space, an elevated promenade with café seating away from the traffic, less fumes and less noise.  Streets such as Wellesley St  and Victoria St could have two road lanes elevated going over Queen St. 

 

The idea is not entirely novel although I did suggest it 40 years ago.  Wellington has several verandah height developments as has Mission Bay.  This type of development would enable an elevated walkway to continue down to the Waterfront over the lost Post Office square now taken over by buses, to join an elevated promenade along the sea side of the wharf area.   This would change the CBD into a very people friendly area and with the increased access provided enhancing the linkage of the CBD to the Waterfront. 

 

A later elevated new mode transport line could take people up Queen St above the verandah promenade. Other lines could come from a Stanley St station and Parking Building using the tunnels under Albert Park to bring passengers into and across Queen St providing a link from the eastern and western suburbs right into and from the center of the CBD.   The CBD would benefit from such easing of access.

 

Waterfront Development

I believe the Waterfront and the Wharfs should feature a series of small to middle size iconic buildings, not blocking precious sea views (as the rugby stadium would have), housing a variety of special activities, with plenty of public outdoor space around them threading them together like beads on a necklace.  

 

Convention Centre

For really large mass gatherings, like the planned Convention Centre, the development of the 'Auckland Square' proposal in the Eastern end of Manukau Harbour would be more suitable than the Waitemata Waterfront.  There would be unrestricted space and convenient access at the Auckland Square from North and South by rail, arterial roads and motorways and it is also handy to Auckland International Airport. 

 

The Maximum Heights

The area at the old railway station, Quay Park, needs to be rethought.

Part of the existing town planning philosophy says that the city should slowly get bigger as one approaches from Tamaki Drive.  This is I believe incorrect.  Cities of the world dazzle and delight with the contrasts.  New York has skyscrapers on the waterfront and the city provides a magical view from the sea.  We need surprise and delight in our city.  This can be done beautifully with the traveling along Tamaki Drive with sea and residential views, then turning the corner into Quay St, a burst of buildings would appear to announce the city above the old railway yards.  What a fantastic visual surprise. 

 

A sketch is shown to illustrate what could be done with the above land over which the City holds a long term lease.  A large multilevel car park beneath to serve the east and southern motorways, with a viewing promenade higher than the shops on Quay St, to look over the harbour with shops, cafes, hotel, offices and accommodation in the blocks above, designed to maximise the views from the buildings and to preserve views from the Parnell Rise between the new buildings.   A walkway to the Arena would place ‘after event’ facilities in easy reach and the Quay St developments would support the Arena and its activities.

 

A new mode transport line would provide access to Queen St with a very short 2 minute elevated ride on demand.

Eastern Area

 

Much of the inner Eastern suburbs already have ready access to the waterfront courtesy of the great depression and our forbears.  We also look for sensitive development of Hobson’s Bay.

 

The Waitemata and Gulf, Orakei, Maungakiekie and Tamaki and Howick Local Boards will consult with local residents and take up the challenge of retaining and developing the special character of these beautiful coastal areas.  We look forward with interest to their proposals.

ENVIRONMENT

 

Auckland nestles into and spreads over one of the most beautiful settings for a city anywhere in the world. We owe it to future generations to preserve our extinct volcanos, sparkling waters, sandy beaches and green bush.  Both the natural and built environment of this jewel of the Pacific must be cared for lovingly.

 

Clean air and water, and a quiet restful environment are all requirements of great living.  

 

Clean Air   

The current 30 year Land Transport Strategy has no practical steps to achieve any increase in clean air.  It only states air will get cleaner.

The proposed transport changes to be included in my Spatial Plan will result in a dramatic reduction of the congestion currently programmed to occur and this change will reduce air pollution from transport by over 50% (maybe up to 75%).

 

Clean Water

Currently Auckland has an adequate supply of water but planning is required to cater for the predicted increase in population.  Maintenance of existing reticulation and treatment facilities is paramount.  The water rating system put in place by the Transition Authority  and Watercare Services for the first year will have to be reviewed by the Council to ensure it is equitable.

 

Storm Water

Storm water will be expected to be treated by catchment areas with selected plant life to filter out pollutants before entry into the sea.

Storm water should be able to be released into convenient waterways with settlement ponds and screening ponds.

 

Road Noise

Road noise will be reduced by requiring ATA (CCO) to select quiet road surfaces on all arterial roads, with small streets and cull de sacs being able to use chip material.

 

Privet Trees

For too long residents have suffered from the effects of privet trees. All privet trees will be removed from city parks within the first three years.  Natives and selected suitable city tree types will be planted. 

 

Native Trees

Native trees and scrubs will be encouraged to be planted across Auckland. 

 

Nut and Fruit Trees

Nut trees and selected fruit trees will be planted in parks and along selected roads where permanent tree planting can occur.

 

Native Birds

Consideration will be given to encouraging our native birds back into the city with trees that provide food for them.   Residents will be encouraged to restrict pets to allow this re population of the urban areas.

 

Kiwi Enclosures

If areas of suburbia can be suitably fenced and controlled to exclude preying animals, Kiwi and other native specie precincts around housing will be encouraged.

 

City Trees

All trees planted by the city will have a life expectancy given to them.  Unless dying they will not be replaced until their time. 

 

Private Trees

Private trees will have no restriction on residents removing them, it is expected that they will replace them with a more suitable tree.  If a community wishes a private property tree to be retained, the community within sighting of the tree should pay an agreed proportion of the rates of the property, any special continuing repair and maintenance work caused by the tree on the roof or foundations of the house on the same section and pay for full storm and damage insurance which would cover damage from the tree falling.

 

GOVERNANCE

The First Year for the Council

 

The Transition Authority will be setting most things including the rates for the first year.  Until the "books are opened" we have to assume that business is as usual, with minimal changes.

 

As Mayor, in year one, I would have a team to work on preparing my proposals for Auckland expressed in the Spatial Plan to be considered, possibly amended and adopted by the Council in the Longterm Council Community Plan (LTCCP).

 

The first year will be a busy time for the new Council.  The Mayor and Councillors will be dealing with the projects continuing on from the last Councils.  They will need to quickly assess the new super City accounts, rates setting formulae, financial possibilities, Local Board allocations of funds, City project funding.  They will need to set goals and strategies, govern and monitor the seven CCOs with criteria and Key Performance Indicators, understand, consult and decide on the new Auckland spatial plan and form good relationships and clear lines of communication with 21 Local Boards.  

 

The Local Boards will also have a busy demanding time during this first year,  holding their consultations with their residents, putting policies and plans forward.  

 

Year two and three can be expected to be more fruitful as the Council begins on projects emanating from the new super City residents.  In these two years there could be changes necessary in some areas and any change should be carefully evaluated and phased in to allow adjustment by residents.  Serious open discussion should take place to reach awareness of the implications and consequences that such changes can have.

 

City Services

 

One of the unfortunate aspects of the last City Councils has been the loss of service supplied by the Councils and a disconnection between the Council officers and the public.  Many residents have perceived a distinct lack of interest by Council staff in serving the public.  This has shown up with slow service for fixing footpaths, (perhaps because footpath funds have been used elsewhere), slow Building and Resource Consent processing, repeated delays in getting appointments, responses to submissions that illustrate ignorance of the submission, a sheer lack of interest in any proposal that is different to the current Council direction.

 

The new super City is expected to turn over a new leaf.   Service from the City to its residents must be such that it vies with the best service anywhere, and there are extremely good commercial service examples that emphasise going the extra mile.  This will be a matter of discussion at an early date with the City CEO and the results will be shared with the public.  Once initial teething difficulties are overcome, cost containment is expected from the amalgamation of services, due to economies of scale.  Reviews of processes could deliver further savings.

 

Reviews

 

I propose a general review of the processes the Council uses in handling Building Consents and Resource Consents. Some examples:

 

a) Building Consents for residential houses could be handled in a day or even a morning if 4-5 staff with the qualifications sat together and finished off the job in a sitting.  It doesn’t make economic sense to have applications sitting on desks waiting for the next person.  Larger projects would need dedicated teams.  Speedier decisions could change the building scene, and really assist in the recovery of construction. 

b) Resource Consents are often on one point or issue.  There are many applications where the neighbours have all signed the drawings for a minor departure, yet every other possibility is examined in detail.  It should not need to be.  That would speed up Resource Consents and cut down the costs.

 

I propose a general review of the current Building Requirements/ Town Planning Ordinances.

 

We need to be looking at new different forms of housing that can be used to provide better and more sensitive housing and give a greater variety. There are many different styles of development being tried overseas. While the current housing Ordinances were mainly set through a Town Planning Appeal I took to the Town and Country Appeal Board years ago, the Ordinances are not flexible enough to cater for possible improvements.  Changes can remove a degree of confidence in existing areas unless it is done so well that little is lost by the neighbours.  

 

Other forms of multi floored residences need to be tried.  We need to find the way of building a small house that can easily be made larger, or two storeys or into two units.  We need to have houses designed so when the occupants have to use a wheel chair they can still use the shower or the toilet or get into the house.  

 

In calling for a review I want to get a wide input and I hope individuals and organisations will make a contribution.  One of the two reasons I’m standing for Mayor is to get the residents, lets just call them Aucklanders, energised.  We need a grass-roots up system not the old top down with countless objections that are not listened to.

 

Can we build more houses within the same space but not compromise the living qualities for the different households?  I know from the material I get from the US and from looking at London on TV, design info centres and my own design thoughts that there are a lot of options that can suit.  What we need is a variety so people can pick the ‘lifestyle’  that suits them or the house that suits their family’s needs.

 

I propose the operation of the Public Works Act and all other regulations on the taking of private land by the City be reviewed.  

 

The present system of arbitration between the City valuer and the resident’s valuer which arrives at an agreed ‘value’ of the property, will be retained but the agreed ‘value’ will be doubled, as is the practice in France.  This will compensate the owner for the less than current value normally arrived at by arbitration, the extra the alternate house costs when bought at best value on an open market, the shifting costs and the shear upheaval distress.  

 

If the resident is left with $20-30,000 left over it is a small thank you from the community who will be enjoying the use of the resident’s property.  It is win/win for all and the community will not have to feel guilty every time they pass the property.  There should also be a more ready attitude to developments proceeding.  The extra cost involved with this change would likely be covered with the earlier opening date for the completed project.

 

 

The New CCO Boards

 

The seven new Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) will take on the bulk of large scale Council operations and responsibilities. 

 

The new board members of the CCO’s were not selected by the new Mayor and Council but they will need to sign up to policies emanating from the new Council.  After year one Board members will have to accept the Targets, Criteria & Key Performance Indicators set by the new Mayor and Council, and must expedite the projects programmed to be built within the last two years of the term.   

 

The new Mayor and Council have only three years to get policy and projects into place, so all Council Controlled Organisations will be expected to deliver on Local Board policies, plans and decisions in an efficient business-like manner.

 

Local Boards

 

Local Boards will have a very important major role to play in the first year.  For the new Auckland super city it is critical that the Local Boards spend the first year in a widespread consultation with their local residents.  The residents’ ideas, needs and suggestions must be obtained and worked on in this first year.  Without such an early and in-depth consultation the Council will not have time to implement any changes recommended by the Local Boards.  Funding will not be available for all projects to start and get finished unless they are started early in the remaining two years.   This programme must be regarded as critical for the new city and Local Board members should be prepared for such a busy first year.

 

This consultation required is actually a great advantage.   The old City Councils adopted the policy of basically deciding what was to happen and then everyone had to object to it.  This causes maximum distress to residents and maximum ignoring of different suggestions not put forward by the Councils.  The potential of this new super City way of asking residents for their input first and then forming projects from their wealth of experience and knowledge, has many important advantages.   It removes much stress from within the community where suddenly peoples’ homes might be put at risk and years pass before the changes are resolved.  It now involves residents in the most positive way, getting them to build their environment and to consider the best way to handle development.

 

Some local decisions may take time.  This is not a problem for decisions or the Council.  It is important that residents realise that their opinion matters and needs full consideration.   Making a fast decision is not necessarily leadership, it is often foolish.  Waiting for a decision that has the community behind it, will provide for faster implementation.   There will exist opportunities for residents to not join the discussion, but to proclaim only their own opinion.  The Local Board should always allow leeway but should not allow vocal repudiation of others’ opinion to hold back widespread acceptance of projects.  We will all need to learn the acceptable way of holding these community conversations to reach the right outcomes.

 

Mayor’s Distinguished Residents Group

 

This first three years will be busy with settling councillors, Local Board members and Aucklanders into our new ‘involvement’ roles.  As much of this work will involve the mayor, it is my intention as Mayor to start a body called the Auckland Distinguished Citizens Group.  These 10-20 people will be selected and invited by the Mayor to share some Mayoral ceremonial duties and to act as required on special occasions on the Mayor’s behalf.   

 

It will give honour and prestige to openings and events and allow these distinguished citizens to add their opinion, their view point, to enhance the discussions and aspirations of Aucklanders.  It will also permit the mayor to undertake the work required particularly in the early period of the council.  It provides for openings that were spread around the previous 8 mayors.

 

The Arts

 

While the city already has existing policy on supporting the arts, the Council must approve funds for all activities after year one.   A widespread evaluation of current funding and support will be undertaken during the first year.

 

Meanwhile I give notice that as Mayor I will donate a first prize in a competition for a song for Auckland.  The competition to be concluded in July 2011.  It is my hope that companies and other individuals will join me and add to the prize and supply other prizes.  The judging will be by public acclaim.  Ideally several judges will give their opinion for general consideration.

 

In 2012, as Mayor I intend to donate a similar prize for a musical about Auckland with selection concluding in July. In 2013 again a similar prize will be given for an orchestral piece about Auckland with judging concluding in July.

 

It is hoped that these performances be attended by as many Aucklanders as possible and discussions will occur as to how this might happen.  The public are invited to make suggestions. 

 

It is time for the new super city of Auckland to have a song and to celebrate the city’s status with a musical and an orchestral piece.  It is my hope that many will get involved and compete.  We need to celebrate the super city event.

 

The Beginning of Our Super City

 

The voting on our new super city will begin its legal existence.  As Mayor I will invite all Aucklanders to celebrate the formation of their new city with city wide street and park parties.   We will be a new community.  We should rejoice we have managed to accomplish this new super city.

 

The first Saturday, a week after the voting is announced, should be the day and residents are invited to have street parties across Auckland starting at 10am finishing at 4pm.  Residents of areas could plan to take the afternoon or morning in visiting other parts of the city, areas they may not have visited for a time or have never visited, to drop in to their street parties and meet residents from these other areas.  I include of course Wellsford/Warkworth and Franklin areas and not just the central areas.  

 

Let’s make this day a quiet celebration of work well done.  A day we will all remember.

 

CITY CULTURE

 

Transparency Accountability and Communication

 

Transparency, accountability and communication are all features Aucklanders want in this new super city.  All members and staff of Council including the CCOs will strive to find the acceptable way for these criteria to occur, to provide understanding by Auckland residents of what is happening within their city and to encourage confidence among residents that they can rely on their Council to work on their behalf.  

 

Residents need to know that all parts of Council and the CCOs are working on their behalf.  Medium and large projects need a lot of number crunching and repeated preparation of benefit cost ratios to ensure that the project is affordable and viable, that we get value for money and create new jobs.

 

Sometimes of course Council has to insist on resident’s performance.  On the other hand there are times when residents need to insist on Council’s performance.  It is here that I will ask all Council and CCO staff and Directors to set a new standard of service for the new super City.  Yes, residents can be annoying, so can staff, but staff have a bigger purpose to keep in mind.  We are all working for all the residents.  I would like the new super City service to stand out as a feature of the new city.  

 

And I would like to hear stories of great service from staff.  It doesn’t cost much.  However it does mean a lot to receive recognition for work well done.

 

Mana Whenua and Mataawaka

 

If elected Mayor I will ask mana whenua (tribes directly associated with the area) and mataawaka (non mana whenua) to consult and to propose a suitable person to work with me on my Mayoral staff to assist in preparing my spatial plan for Auckland to be presented to the Council for approval as the Year Two Plan and the Long Term Community Plan.  This is in addition to the nine member board being set up.

 

Ngati Whatua offered Auckland as a place for early settlers to live.   It is in the same spirit that I ask tangata whenua to propose one of their people to join with my Mayoral staff in looking after and developing that same place.

 

Melting Pot of Immigrants

 

From tangata whenua to the latest immigrants we have a wonderful mix of nationalities come to New Zealand  from all corners of the world to lend their shoulder to the wheel, make a good life for themselves and their families and thus help New Zealand grow.   We are the richer for their presence and we expect them to join in our shared goals, our shared responsibilities and our shared ideals.  

 

However whether immigrant or setting out on adult life, many challenges need to be overcome. The City has to be aware of the need for job creation, improved low cost housing, better use of existing community and health facilities and the City has to be prepared to interact with central government on these issues.

 

In our Auckland we have many examples of celebrating ethnic contribution to our society, adding to the diverse cultural mix that is New Zealand.  

 

We are also a young country.  The memories of our parents and grandparents, their exploits are our country’s heritage.   We need to take care that we ensure it is recorded.   Each group can do this if care is taken in recording. 

 

We can lose what is not recorded and our society loses. 

 

Credit where Credit Belongs

 

If I am elected Mayor I will be proposing that all Auckland Council buildings and Council projects will keep a record of all people working on the site during construction.  

 

These names in all their diverse ethnic spellings to be recorded on a plaque fixed to the building when opened.  The steel welder is as critical to a buildings success as the electrical contractor and the architect.  We need to record accomplishment and history.  

 

Private construction firms will be encouraged to do the same.

 

In the same spirit I will propose some form of commemorative recognition to be decided by Auckland Council for each of the Mayors of the seven cities that formed our new super City.