• Howick and Pakuranga Times
MANY thanks to everyone who has got in touch about the super-city.
This issue of the Times sees the start of our coverage of the elections for the new Auckland Council, the biggest and most wide-ranging local government reorganisation for many years.
We will be answering some of your questions over the coming weeks, so get in contact if there’s something on your mind.
Our future mayor, councillors and local board members may even listen to, and take on, some of your concerns.
Honorary fisheries officer Barry Wood, of Howick, has sent in a letter.
He writes: “As someone who has stood for Howick Community Board over the past nine years, I’m interested in the elections but have found it hard to find out much information about the finer details. Manukau City’s website has a link to the Auckland City site but only general information is given.
“It’s clear there’s a battle brewing over who will be mayor and which two councillors will represent Howick. The gloves have been off for some time.
“I know it has always been hard to get members of our community interested in local-body elections, as many have the opinion that things will just happen. I have heard people say, ‘why bother, it will not change things’. This is wrong.
“I’ve proved that by saving cockle beds at Cockle Bay and with the recent Auckland Regional Council ruling over the Pine Harbour dumping dredging off our bay.
“It would be good to read some articles on how our Howick Local Board will be made up, what functions it will perform and what power it will have in the new super-city.”
Next week we will be explaining the nominations and voting processes.
