Super City will axe dozens of managers

Mark Ford. Photo / Richard Robinson

Dozens of senior council managers will lose their jobs when eight councils are rolled into the Auckland Super City next year.

But those working at the coalface of council services, including parks, libraries and recreational facilities, will generally keep their jobs and work at the same location.

The agency designing the Super City yesterday released a draft, three-tier management structure with 29 jobs.

Auckland Transition Agency executive director Mark Ford said he expected dozens of managerial jobs to be lost simply because the Super City management did not need to be multiplied by eight.

The structure includes an executive team made up of the chief executive, chief operating officer, chief planning officer and chief financial officer. Under the executive are 25 managers, who have significant roles. There is also a place for a temporary director to help to establish the Super City.

Mr Ford said people had to understand who was managing the city. The structure delivered clarity, accountability and accessibility.

Council staff employed in planning, policy and strategy - and support staff - are also likely to be affected by job losses as a result of these functions being centralised.

In a discussion document, the agency said: "It is not intended generally to review staff numbers or roles of people involved in community facilities, such as libraries, parks, recreational facilities and community services."

Council staff have until November 26 to provide feedback on the draft structure. By February staff are expected to know if their jobs are confirmed or subject to change.

The agency is still a month away from announcing what council services will be run by council-controlled organisations (CCOs) along commercial lines - although the Government has said there will be CCOs for transport, water and a waterfront agency. Once the CCO structure is known, jobs will be included in the Super Auckland Council structure for things like a manager for transport.

Dr Grant Hewitson, a local government expert at Kensington Swan law firm, said the executive team was slimmed down compared with the current five, six or seven direct reports used by councils in Auckland and throughout New Zealand.

He said the jobs of the next tier of 24 managers were three or four times bigger than their equivalent current roles.

Public Service Association national secretary Richard Wagstaff was pleased with the assurances from the agency towards frontline staff and the processes for the transition.