Orakei on its own
Orakei residents bombarded authorities with submissions, the most received from any area in fact. As they asked for, Remuera residents will be segregated in the supercity boundaries from the more poor area of Otahuhu.
“We received a significant number of submissions calling for the splitting of the proposed Orakei-Maungakiekie Ward in to two single-member wards,” the Local Government Commission said in its report.
The submissions were based on the distinct socio-economic difference between the Orakei area of the ward which includes Ellerslie, Mission Bay, St Heliers, Kohimarama and Remuera where voter turnout was much higher historically than the remaining area including Glen Innes, Tamaki, Onehunga and Otahuhu.
“Our investigations did identify a clear distinction between the soci-economic characteristics of the northern area and the central/southern area,” the Commission said.
“We also note that the area of the proposed ward has historically been split between local authorities which would provide further challenges in developing commonalities of interest.”
Albert-Eden-Roskill Ward
A new name has not been made up for this ward, so it gets the triple-barrelled tongue twister of Albert-Eden-Roskill ward. As the name suggests, it comprises Mt Albert, Mt Eden and Mt Roskill.
It also includes all of Kingsland “to avoid splitting these communities of interest”, and Point Chevalier, Waterview, Hillsborough, Greenlane, Epsom, Lynfield and Sandringham.
Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward
This region comprises Royal Oak, Oranga, Te Papapa, Westfield (the place Great South Rd goes through, not one of the malls), Glen Innes, Point England, Panmure up to the Panmure bridge, but excludes Ellerslie (which is part of Orakei) by dividing it halfway down Marua Rd.
It will be represented by two local boards, one for Maungakiekie and one for Tamaki, split by where the Southern Motorway runs through the ward.
Ponsonby and Great Barrier Island united?
The area known roughly as central Auckland, including Parnell, Ponsonby, Westmere, the Newmarket business district and the CBD is now part of the same ward as Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island, which may seem illogical.
“We believe it is important to have a ward incorporating all of the Auckland CBD, as the commercial heart of the region, together with the adjoining suburbs which havea common geographical location,” the Commission said.
“The area has a distinct character of commercial activity, city amenities and higher-density residential accommodation requiring representation.”
As for including all the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, the Commission said it was to best benefit their functional community interest factors like employment, transport and shopping.
There will be three local boards, one for Great Barrier Island, one for Waiheke Island, and one for the rest of the Waitemata area including mainland.
Jazial Crossley
Thu, 11 Mar 2010