This information is provided by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Government decisions on Auckland governance

The government has released its decisions on the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Enquiry on Auckland Governance. 

There are significant differences between the Royal Commission recommendations and the government’s decisions.  It is intended that the new structure be in place for the 2010 local government elections.

The key high-level decisions are:

• One unitary Auckland Council as the first tier of governance
• One mayor for Auckland with governance powers, elected at large by the region’s residents and ratepayers
• Approximately 20 to 30 local boards across the region as the second tier of governance
• Twenty councillors to sit on the Auckland Council (8 elected at large and 12 elected from wards)
• The final number or local boards, and the boundaries of the Auckland Council, wards and local boards to be determined by the Local Government Commission.

A number of other recommendations need consideration by Government, or are more appropriate for either the Establishment Board or the future Auckland Council to decide.

A programme of detailed work will be completed to implement the Government's high-level response and enable the drafting of legislation.

Here you can view various documents relating to the Government decision:

• Government response to Royal Commission on Auckland - Prime Minister's release (PDF 47kb)
• Hon Rodney Hide media release - representation guaranteed for all Aucklanders (PDF 44kb)
• Making Auckland Greater - The Government's decisions on Auckland Governance (PDF 2.3mb)
• Summary of decisions (PDF 140kb)
• Structure-Detail (PDF 36kb).

Further information can be found at www.auckland.govt.nz

Manukau City Council's response

Media release - Mayor greets government decisions with caution.