My Account
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has sent a strong message to Auckland Council that it opposes merging with Upper Harbour Local Board.
The merger is part of council’s proposal to reduce the number of local boards from 21 to 15.
Should the two local boards merge (with Albany the proposed name for the new entity), the combined population of the reconstituted board would be the largest in Auckland – 191,700 (at 2023 figures). To put this in perspective, council staff noted in their report that Hamilton City Council governed a population of 180,000.
Currently, Hibiscus and Bays has eight members (four each from Hibiscus and East Coast Bays) and under the proposed regime, Hibiscus representation would remain the same.
At its business meeting on March 26, the board voted not to support the proposal.
Its feedback to the joint governance working party (which is considering the amalgamation proposals and will make recommendations to the governing body) included potential challenges with adequate representation under the proposed model, which would have a significantly larger catchment area.
It also said that the board had not been given enough detailed information.
“Local boards are yet to receive comprehensive financial information regarding this proposal, including how it may impact future local board funding and what cost savings might be made as a result of merging local boards.”
The local board also considered that there was not a lot in common between the interests of the two local boards’ communities.
It requested an investigation into alternative ways to improve local boards’ governance, that considered increased funding, resourcing, and improved advice to elected members.
Finally, the board did not support a reorganisation plan for local boards proceeding to public consultation until more robust analysis was provided.
Next month, the joint governance working party will agree on a draft reorganisation plan for consultation. The public will be asked for feedback from June to August, with the governing body making its final decision in September.
The final reorganisation is to take effect at next year’s local body elections.
