Initiative gets mayor’s backing
The Southern Initiative will likely remain an important council focus going forward, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says.
Listed under the visionary Auckland Plan document, the programme aims to boost social, economic and education conditions in south Auckland.
It’s faced some criticism of doing the Government’s work.
And during the 2016 election, commentators also remarked at how little the Southern Initiative was discussed by candidates.
But in a sit-down interview with the Manukau Courier, Goff says the initiative ‘‘has a lot of promise’’ and will remain a focus for council.
‘‘We want to create an inclusive city, all sectors are part of the city,’’ he says.
‘‘It’s in the interests in all of us we utilise the skill and talent in south Auckland. That we address, housing and health.’’
Goff describes the initiative as ‘‘a way of bringing a local perspective in and a local coordinating role’’ to partnering with government agencies.
He says the south will see ‘‘significant regeneration’’ in the Manukau area, with growth around Auckland Airport and Takanini in the coming years.
He says he understood some of the initial criticism, but following a reorganisation in 2014 the programme is seeing some results.
‘‘There were 267 trainess coming out of the [training] programme last year,’’ he says.
‘‘They were taking people that are hard to place, out of education or workforce for a long time.’’
It was also providing local data on social issues to government departments through its work and involvement with academic studies.
‘‘How do I know it’s going well? Central government is investing its resources through The Southern Initiative,’’ Goff says.
Manukau’s new $26 million bus station is a project the initiative is involved in alongside contractor NZ Strong.
Goff says initial concerns about increased costs using local labour didn’t come to fruition.
‘‘They’re finding it’s saving them money, they do better if they get people with right preparation from the local community.’’
Auckland Council also cited the initiative as one reason it plans to move its call centre to Manukau later this year.
The move, into a council building, is expected to take place after July this year.