A Christmas party is going ahead today for the more than 200 staff at Auckland Council’s urban regeneration body only hours after a vote on scrapping it.
Staff are unlikely to celebrate with daiquiri and pina colada cocktails at the tropical-themed party — more likely to drown theirsorrows.
That’s because Mayor Wayne Brown faces becoming the Grinch, along with his 20 Governing Body elves, as they are expected to vote to abolish the urban regeneration body, Eke Panuku, and bring its functions and staff in-house. Eke Panuku also has a property management and sales role and manages Westhaven Marina, Viaduct Harbour and Silo Park.
No amount of last-minute lobbying by Eke Panuku and supporters appears to have been enough to stop the mayor from nailing the first of his council-controlled organisation (CCO) reforms at today’s governing body meeting.
On the block is abolishing Eke Panuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) being stripped of its economic development role. After talking with the tourism sector, the mayor has backpedalled on stripping TAU of major events and destination marketing roles.
The mayor’s biggie, “restoring democracy to Auckland Transport”, has the backing of Transport Minister Simeon Brown, but it’s a convoluted process that involves repealing legislation and will take 18 months.
Eke Panuku chief executive David Rankin and board chairman David Kennedy had argued for the status quo, saying the loss of an independent focus on urban regeneration came with risks.
In a letter to Brown on Wednesday, Kennedy reiterated that message, saying international experience suggests urban regeneration is a specialist function with long-term planning horizons.
Waiwharariki Anzac Square in Takapuna is one of the projects being delivered by Eke Panuku.
“The alternative is a risk of three-yearly cycles,” said Kennedy, saying Eke Panuku had proven it could create amazing places for Aucklanders.
John Hunt, a professor at Auckland University’s School of Architecture and Planning, and urban planner Ben van Bruggen, were also lobbying at the 11th hour.
Hunt, a design professional on many council projects since 2007, said dismantling Eke Panuku constituted a “potentially significant challenge” for urban regeneration, including the loss of many talented and skilled staff.
Van Bruggen was blunt: “We cannot afford mediocrity. Auckland needs a leading urban regeneration agency empowered to transform our city.”
Brown’s rationale for abolishing Eke Panuku is its lack of capital binds it to small-scale urban projects rather than larger projects, and it’s part of a hotch-potch of CCO and council bodies making public projects more difficult in places like the CBD.
The Herald understands a sizeable block of councillors supports keeping Eke Panuku in its current or a scaled-back form, including Angela Dalton who will be away from today’s crucial vote.
The mayor, however, is believed to have the numbers and holds the casting vote if the vote is tied.
Auckland councillor Chris Darby wants to retain Eke Panuku. Photo / Dean Purcell
Councillor Chris Darby on Wednesday said he wanted an improved outcome for Eke Panuku, saying there were major risks in absorbing the skilled and highly successful CCO into the dull, corporate structure of Auckland Council.
He described the likes of Fletcher Building’s Steve Evans, Warren and Mahoney managing director John Coop, and former Westfield and SkyCity executive David Kennedy as highly skilled Eke Panuku board members shaping a fantastic Auckland.
“There is going to be a bureaucratic takeover and it will be as dull as dishwater,” Darby said.
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