The last local board inaugural meetings were held last night. Herald reporters went along to see history in the making
Franklin
Unifying diverse communities, from the west coast of Awhitu to Kawakawa Bay and Orere Pt in the Firth of Thames is the biggest challenge facing the Franklin Local Board, says chairman Andy Baker.
The former policeman and principal fire and civil defence officer was elected chairman of the local board with its three subdivisions of Waiuku, Pukekohe and Wairoa.
Mr Baker, who is new to politics and one of six Citizens & Ratepayers-Team Franklin candidates elected to the nine-member board, said he did not think people would notice much difference to the previous political set-up.
The biggest challenge would be uniting the old part of Franklin with rural parts of Papakura and Manukau.
Speaking at the old Franklin District Council chambers, Mr Baker said he did not want to see improved rail services to Pukekohe get lost in Mayor Len Brown's vision of providing rail to the airport.
Franklin would be working with the Rodney Local Board in the north to deliver a rural voice to the Auckland Council.
- Bernard Orsman
Orakei
Mayor Len Brown was given a clear message last night that the wealthy ward of Orakei wants a big war chest to pay for its desires.
The Mayor did not come to listen to the Citizens & Ratepayers-controlled Orakei Local Board. He chose instead to attend the inaugural meetings of the Mangere-Otahuhu and Devonport-Takapuna boards.
C&R's Desley Simpson, who was elected chairwoman, told council finance boss Andrew McKenzie that residents wanted to know that the "very large contribution we make to council income is matched by appropriate levels of funding and investment".
The board is experienced - it includes former Auckland City councillor and transport chairman Ken Baguley, Colin Davis, with more than 50 years' local government experience, former Hobson community board chairman Troy Churton, former Eastern Bays community board member Kate Cooke and National Party candidate Mark Thomas.
- Bernard Orsman
Devonport-Takapuna
The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will be establishing a local engagement plan to address the royal commission's concerns over Auckland's local government structure, says its newly elected chairman.
Chris Darby, a former North Shore City councillor, was not challenged for the post, and almost immediately outlined key projects.
"Two significant work streams are top of the mind - the third harbour crossing and the place, Takapuna, as a major sub-regional centre," Mr Darby told a large audience at the former North Shore City Council chambers in Takapuna last night.
The board covers an area that extends from Sunnynook and Castor Bay to Devonport.
Mr Darby said improved transport was the key to growth.
"Mass transit must come to the Shore and it must come to the sub-regional centre of Takapuna.
"I foresee an underground rail spur into Takapuna, transporting workers, residents, shoppers and tourists, connecting Takapuna to wider Auckland."
- Lincoln Tan
Whau
The Whau Local Board chairman says his first task will be to create harmony between the newly melded regions of the ward. Former Waitakere City councillor Derek Battersby was unanimously elected chairman at the board's first meeting last night.
Mr Battersby, who ran as an independent, said: "I can impart my massive institutional knowledge to the board and its community. I'm an outcomes man, and I'll be looking for action - collaborative, forceful, and good-spirited action."
He said the board would look to solve the differences between the old regional boundaries of Waitakere, Waitemata and Auckland City which were part of the new ward. It also wanted to raise the living standard in the Avondale area, a "poorer cousin" to New Lynn.
A priority was to save the Avondale racecourse for its Sunday markets and playing fields. He also wants a cinema in New Lynn and a park-and-ride at the Avondale and New Lynn train stations.
- Isaac Davison
Mangere
Family and community bonds will be the foundations for the success of the Auckland Super City, says the new local board chairman for Mangere and Otahuhu.
Leau Peter Skelton told 150 people - including a lei-adorned Auckland Mayor Len Brown - at the new Mangere Arts Centre last night that he knew all about family ties as the seventh of 14 children.
"You bring your family together first and then you bring your community together," he said after Polynesian hymns were sung to welcome the new board. "Len Brown's vision for this Super City, he wants to bring Auckland together, unless we do that in our community first, how can you bring Auckland together?"
Mr Skelton was supported for his new role by all six Labour members of the new seven-member local board. Former Tamaki Community Board member Christine O'Brien was elected deputy chairwoman.
- Mathew Dearnaley
