Give our community a chance to consider self-governance
Having governance that is fiscally sensible, accountable, efficient, and responsive to the unique needs of Waiheke is what all Waihekeans want, right?
Waiheke is not a suburb of Auckland, it is separate and distinct from Auckland; it is the island that Aucklanders come to when they want to “get away from” Auckland.
For too long the island has been under the ineffective management of unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats who reside in the ill-named Council Controlled Organisations that make up Auckland Council. Waiheke’s issues, big or small, need to be addressed and solved on island, by competent people with local knowledge.
Some of the issues we care about:
- the unwanted marina at Matiatia – Waihekeans had to battle in the courts – and won, despite Auckland Council’s lack of support.
- the removal of the rural urban boundary under the Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan. This will have a huge impact on Waiheke. Already Waihekeans are mobilising to embark on another expensive court battle.
- “Little O” – the badly polluted stream running into the most popular kids’ beach on the island – years of Auckland Council helplessness and still no solution
- pot holes from Matiatia to Onetangi despite the most expensive per km roading bill nationwide compared to similar communities. Island roads need island solutions.
- lack of amenities – e.g. one rundown public toilet in Oneroa for thousands of daily visitors
- local board’s requests to Auckland Transport regarding footpaths and swales ignored
- Auckland Council failing to prevent monopolies on ferry routes
John Meeuwsen, a former manager at Wellington City Council and with long experience of central government, realised in the first 12 months of his tenure as a Waiheke local board member that Auckland Council just does not fit Waiheke. In January 2015, he started the Our Waiheke campaign for Waiheke to get its own council.
For nearly two years now, the small but dedicated Our Waiheke team has been meeting, gathering information, consulting the public, talking to other similar-sized councils and meeting with the Local Governance Commission. The team has heard again and again, that you want change.
Now it’s down to you, Waiheke. You need to convince the Local Government Commission that the people of Waiheke do want their own council. You can do this in three ways.
- Fill in the LGC online survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FHPT5N3
- Meet with the LGC when they are here on Waiheke, the meeting dates are below
- Vote for local representatives that represent your view on the matter. You can read who they are here http://www.ourwaiheke.co.nz/candidate-support-waiheke-getting-council/
Dan Ballard
One of the Our Waiheke team
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