Polls show Govt fail in Auckland

Independent poll results in today’s Herald are an indictment of the Government’s handling of the Auckland reforms. Pure and simple.

A majority of Aucklanders believe they will be personally worse off under the super city.  Fifty percent more people disagreed than agreed with the suggestion Auckland would be a better place to live under the super city.

Even the Government’s main selling point, that the amalgamation would improve management of the region, is not believed by most Aucklanders.

After a year of John Key putting a smiley face on the creation of the super city, these poll numbers show Aucklanders are far from convinced.

But this is not in my view just a failure of political management.

Aucklanders have real concerns and the Government could address them in the third super city bill which is due to be passed later this month.

First, they should legislate to guarantee real decision-making and rule-making powers to local boards, and give power back to communities.

Second, they should back off imposing council owned companies on Auckland, for example in transport. Don’t treat Auckland as a corporation. Give the power back to the Auckland Council to decide whether it wants to set up these CCOs.

Third, don’t take away Aucklanders’ right to decide in a referendum whether the ports of Auckland get sold.

In the mean time, Aucklanders can have a say by voting in the people’s referendum organised by Our Auckland. It’s the vote on the super city the Government wouldn’t let you have. Voting closes at 5pm today.