Statement from His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City, Mr Andrew Williams.

Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland Governance

The first round of Public Meetings have concluded but written comments may still be made. Public meetings to seek residents views on the future of the Auckland region have concluded but written comments may still be made. Elected representatives have gathered valuable views from those present,and from council workshops with various sector groups from across the North Shore.  All these comments will be considered when deliberating the City's formal submissions to the Royal Commission. There is still opportunity for residents to make their views known to the Mayor and Councillors. Mayor Andrew Williams says the issue could impact on the lives of residents for the next fifty years and he's appealed for wide involvement by the community and individuals.

Photo courtesy of North Shore Times - The Commissioners with the Mayor (from left to right) David Shand, Andrew Williams, Hon Peter Salmon, Dame Margaret Bazley

I’ve been delighted at the number of people who have attended community meetings and the range and quality of opinions expressed. It’s clear that North Shore residents very much value the lifestyle we share and that they feel strongly about the way it should be preserved and developed in future.

This Royal Commission is a crossroads for us all and it’s critical that all those with views on the way we are governed and how we administer the region and our communities make their views known.   This is really about the type of future we build for our children and the Royal Commission and its recommendations to the Government will impact on us all for decades to come.  

So far the main areas of concern seem to relate to maintaining access to local representation while dealing with the big issues of transport, water and energy, and of course individuals have touched on many issues that affect our culture, our environment and our security.

There is still time to get your thoughts to the North Shore City Council through this site, and I encourage all who want to help shape the future to also inform themselves and to send their views to the Royal Commission before 4pm on April 22, when submissions close.

The Government has asked the Royal Commission for advice on how the Auckland Region should be governed now and in the future. The Royal Commission has wide powers to identify what local and regional governance arrangements will best provide for current and future local, regional and national interests in respect of the region. 

Resource Material
Royal Commission Timeline Key reference sites. Articles. Documents by other Councils. Media Comment North Shore City Various views
Submit your views to North Shore City.
Members of the Community meet with North Shore elected representatives and council officers to discuss ways to engage in the Royal Commission's study.

The terms of reference for the Royal Commission, their discussion document and how to make a submission can be found at www.royalcommission.govt.nz

We are making reference material available on our website to help inform you on the latest developments in this very important review.

The Royal Commission is following a process for submissions. 

• An information and discussion paper has been issued by the Royal Commission for the information of the public
• Written submissions can be made to the Royal Commission from the public from early March until 4pm on the 22nd April.
• Once submissions close there will be a number of public hearings held by the Royal Commission in the Auckland region in May-June.  The location of the North Shore hearing will be advised closer to the time. 
• The Royal Commission is to present its recommendations to the Government by December 1, 2008.

North Shore City Council will be making a formal submission to the Royal Commission and we encourage you to as well. 

However, as I said above, in formulating the council's submission we are interested in your views. 
A link is provided should you wish to provide council with feedback. 

I would, however, urge you also to make a separate submission to the Royal Commission, as any feedback provided to Council may not necessarily be included in the Council's submission.

Andrew Williams
Mayor
March 12, 2008

Andrew Williams Message to residents February 5, 2008

Royal Commission of Inquiry on Auckland Governance

The North Shore City Council is interested in your views on this very important piece of work to help guide preparation of the Council's submission

THE FOLLOWING FORM IS NOT A SUBMISSION TO THE INQUIRY

The feedback received will be used to help the Council in forming its submission. It will not be passed on to the Royal Commission. Everyone is encouraged to submit a separate submission on their own behalf to the Royal Commision.

Make your views known to the North Shore City Council here