Bevan Rapson: City's new leaders need vision and the courage to act on it

Photo / Richard Robinson.

Opinion

Auckland has had some truly feeble local government leaders over the years.

Just have a look at the place. The planning has been appalling, most of the heritage buildings are gone, the infrastructure has been grossly underfunded and, most notably, the transport system is a mess.

We've inherited a beautiful part of the world and had our share of prosperity - but have we really made the most of it?

These failures can at least partly be blamed on the divided structure we're about to get rid of. Parochialism made it hard for politicians to get things done, especially anything requiring an Auckland-wide vision. And the various forms of regional overview we've had often seemed caught up in a power struggle with Wellington on one side and territorial authorities on the other.

But good politicians work with what they've got. You don't have to spend too long in Auckland gridlock, crawling past blocks of gruesome buildings, to reach the view that our leaders have been serial under-achievers, particularly in the past couple of decades.

Which is why we should be especially grateful for the exceptions, figures such as Sir John Allum, whose determination got us the Harbour Bridge half a century ago.

This week brought a reminder of another group of Auckland politicians who can be proud of their legacy. When the Auckland Regional Council forked out $15 million for a new regional park on the Mahurangi coast, it brought to 27 the number of parks bought over the past 47 years.

Anyone who has ever paddled at Tapapakanga, tramped through lush bush in the Waitakeres or heard a kiwi calling at Tawharanui appreciates the vision of the people responsible. Our parks give every Aucklander with a bus fare access to things that in many other countries are the preserve of the rich: unspoiled coastlines, pristine sands, space to relax and recharge.

The politicians who voted for each of these purchases across the decades took a long-term view and showed real leadership.

Let's hope those elected to the new Auckland Council understand what a treasure they're inheriting. Further, let's hope they have the kind of foresight, imagination and resolve that drove the park buys and employ all three in the way they run the region.

They have a golden chance to break the Auckland tradition of ineffective, uninspired local government.

Yes, Aucklanders tend to be proud that they're into business rather than politics. We're happy to let Wellington be the "Government town". But this has allowed our do-nothing politicians to talk big but think small.

We shouldn't have to settle for dreary public buildings or a ropey public transport system. The St James Theatre, to take a topical example, should have been refurbished years ago. Would Melbourne, Christchurch - or Napier - have left it languishing?

Think Big is a phrase with an unfortunate history but the Auckland Council needs to see the big picture and it will have the clout to make big things happen. Bridge or tunnels. New railway lines. Landmark buildings.

Neither of our leading mayoral candidates has yet revealed any particular Allum-like qualities. But keep your fingers crossed the winner and the rest of the new council at least appreciate the chance they have to reverse the region's woeful record.

The smooth day-to-day running of the city to a budget will be one priority but they should also arrive ready to think hard then act boldly on a handful of big flagship projects.