- By Chris Harrowell and Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
Local community leaders disagree over whether the number of elected representatives on the Howick Local Board should be expanded or reduced.
As the Times reported earlier this week, Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson recently proposed at a meeting of Auckland Council’s governing body to consult the public about reducing the local board’s size.
The council is undertaking a representation review looking at matters such as the number of elected representatives or ward boundaries.
At its governing body meeting on June 27, councillors supported the initial proposal for representation which will go out for public consultation.
One part of the proposal is to increase the Howick Local Board from nine elected members to 11.
Williamson put forward an amendment to the material proposing to consult the public on reducing the number of Howick Local Board members down to seven.
“It is to go out for consultation,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the world and if I am proven wrong then I will apologise that I didn’t read my community properly.”
Councillor Julie Fairey said she was concerned the Howick Local Board didn’t have a chance to formally meet and discuss the proposal.
“We have been through a process on this over several months and yet this morning is the first time it’s been raised,” she said.
Williamson said he’d spoken with various ratepayer groups in the Howick ward and recently came to the conclusion the public would not support more elected representatives.
“We have got more elected representatives than the whole of the country has in Wellington and so advocating for more seems to be wrong.”
The New Zealand Parliament is comprised of 123 MPs compared to the Howick Local Board’s nine elected members so it’s unclear what Williamson was referring to.
Councillors were divided between believing he’d best know his community and the issue of process with the local board not having been consulted.
Williamson said he’d discussed the proposal with the Howick Local Board chair (Damian Light) who he said saw merit in not increasing the number of local board members.
Councillor Richard Hills challenged Williamson and said an evidence-based process was important.
“I checked in with the local board. They don’t support this direction.
“Those members, if reduced to seven, would have double the numbers of residents that the local board members in my area have.”
Councillor Greg Sayers acknowledged the public sentiment to have fewer elected members.
“It just hasn’t gone through that due process and opportunity for input – to my mind it kind of undermines that democratic process,” Sayers said.
Deputy mayor Desley Simpson supported the amendment despite saying it was controversial.
“I don’t know that it’s the right answer but I am happy for you to take a controversial thing for your area, at your request, to your people and ask for their feedback,” Simpson said.
The amendment was lost eight votes to nine with three abstentions.
In response to Williamson’s proposal, Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says because of the significant increase in population in Flat Bush, the current representation arrangements no longer meet the regulations and require adjustment for the 2025 local-body elections.
“On March 21 the Howick Local Board provided our feedback on the representation options following a short public consultation period which included feedback boards in the Botany Library and a public meeting with the Flat Bush Ratepayers and Residents Association.
“After serious consideration, the Howick Local Board agreed the best way to achieve fair and equitable representation was to increase the members to 11 and create a new subdivision for Flat Bush.
“This meant no changes for the Howick and Pakuranga subdivisions, while Botany would be split into two separate subdivisions, recognising the different communities of interest.
“While this would mean Howick has the largest number of elected members, we also have the largest population and would still have the one of the highest ratio of population to elected members.
“I have not had time to review the governing body meeting so I’m unsure what councillor Williamson said.
“However, my opinion has not changed. I fully support the position of the Howick Local Board (i.e. 11 members with a new subdivision for Flat Bush).
“The governing body has voted to ask the public what they think and we look forward to a robust and open conversation about the proposal.”
- Disclosure: Howick Local Board deputy chairperson Bo Burns is the owner of the Times.
