Waiheke split proposal in talks

The Local Government Commission arrived on Waiheke Island to a big welcome on September 28.

They were there to find out what the community thinks about an application to split from Auckland governance.

Commissioners were greeted with a powhiri at the island’s Piritahi Marae after the 35-minute ferry trip from Auckland.

The group is on the island for two days and will be meeting locals at three easy-to-get-to venues. Local group Our Waiheke lodged the application with the Local Government Commission for the island to have its own unitary council rather than being governed by Auckland Council.

Our Waiheke spokesman John Meeuwsen said he was grateful the commissioners had come to the island to hear residents’ views. ‘‘We hope our community makes the best of this chance to convince the Commissioners that we are well placed to govern ourselves,’’ he said. The statutory process was triggered after the Commission received two applications for council reorganisation in the Auckland area – one from the Northern Action Group in North Rodney and the other from Our Waiheke on Waiheke. Each sought the establishment of a unitary council separate from Auckland Council.

The public consultations will be followed by discussions and meetings with interested parties in other parts of the Auckland Council area in October and November.

The commission will collate all feedback and then identify and notify the practicable options, which must include the status quo.