Elaine Dyer & Susie Vincent talk about Auckland's Supercity

Published: May 6, 2010, midnight

b'With the recent announcement that the National Government of New Zealand will impose super city status on seven local councils over the greater Auckland area, this has caused concern to many people about the methods involved to bring this about. One of the unique qualities of localised self governance is the closeness of community, cultural identity\\xa0 and many collaborative ventures between council, small business and neighborhood engagement plus area employment. And yes, we need more integrated transport, and other infrastructural systems, but not without community involvement with powers to act. With the enforcement to super city status with $28 billion of community assets, such as the Auckland airport stake, (that was recently sold off by the smaller Auckland council) what does the future hold for keeping our community resources in public hands? With participative democracy needed like never before, you are being asked as an Aucklander to break the spell of inaction and communicate with "our paid servants in Wellington" and demand more transparency and community liaison, participation plus feed back. For those who missed the Aucklander 4-page extravaganza 29th April, here is the online resource (without pictures) http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/local/news/our-auckland/3913141/ http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/local/news/just-for-once-let-auckland-have-a-say/3913140/ AND: http://www.ourauckland.org.nz www.stopthesupercity.org.nz http://ihiaotearoa.wordpress.com'