AUCKLAND UNLEASHED - let's get it right!

The ‘Big Picture’ is great!  I will be submitting comments - these relate to the first part:

1.     The report AUCKLAND UNLEASHED is about 30-40% bigger than it need be to communicate the concept.  It would benefit from a pragmatic editing.        Some would say that the verbosity is counter- productive.  I suggest the dangers include:  

(i)   The format is typical of reports that are far too big for their purpose - the report and consultation seem more important than the outcome.    

(ii)  The aspirations are so extensive and detailed, many of them are unlikely to happen.             

(iii) The report format signals a continuation of officer attitudes that delay, complicate and frustrate progress on proposals.   

(iv) The report has a Social Agenda that reads like a Labout Party election manifesto - and which focusses on lower socio-economic groups.   Others are just as important, and necessary, in achieving City goals.   

2.     The elements that make Auckland unique and the need to nurture them is not given sufficient emphasis as a driver of development.  This transcends economic overlays.

3.     Cultural engagement, awareness and City commitment is a critical component of successful cities.  Auckland has it in abundance – it should be acknowledged and prioritised.

4.     A real ‘Big Picture’ need is a City administration that shares the goals and commitments of the Mayor and Council.                                                                                                                                                            .                    

What's our deputy-Mayor playing at?

Is deputy-Mayor Hulse trying to white-ant the new Super City?  Or is she just a local politician chasing media exposure?
First she hit out at the use of consultants, then she criticized the governance structure.  
No-one believes the new order is 100% perfect - Mayor Brown rightly describes it as 'a work in progress.'
Deputy-Mayor Hulse should not delude herself - no-one believes we should have retained the old system of warring Councils, function duplication and rampant bureaucracy - other than self serving Councilors and employees in 'the trough'.    Most of us had to endure the frustrating processes and pay the growing costs.
The new structure could work - if we get the right balance of responsibilities, efficiencies and outcomes.  But to do so so requires elected leaders committed to making it work - not grabbing headlines by knocking it!
Sure there will be things to criticize - but there's always 2 sides to the argument - and bigger agendas.  So please Council, rise above the old petty squabbling and questionable reporting in media with questionable objectives.  Aucklanders want, and need, enlightened governance - and exciting outcomes.

AUCKLAND UNLEASHED Vs DEMOCRACY: THE CHALLENGE!

AUCKLAND UNLEASHED, despite being at least 30% longer than it need be, is an excellent discussion document that anticipates a "PLAN" for Auckland (they call it the Spatial Plan).
But the real issue is whether this 'PLAN' becomes an aspirational concept or a bureaucratic straight jacket.  No 'PLAN' can anticipate all outcomes. No 'PLAN" can satisfy all democratic inputs.   
The successful cities we all love have resulted from a single agency or dictator - democracy seldom had much say!    This enabled outcomes to be continually assessed, and if so decreed, changed (like the origin of the Spanish Steps in Rome).   For the true manifestation of democracy - look at our suburbs. 
The CHALLENGE to the politicians, is to satisfy democratic demands while still achieving the kind of outcomes AUCKLAND UNLEASHED aspires to.  The danger of adopting a 'PLAN' is to empower legions of objectors, vested interests and 'box ticking' bureaucrats - and lose any chance of achieving it.  The danger of asserting authority is to stand accused of negating the democratic process.
Therein lies the CHALLENGE!