The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 has been passed by Parliament. The Act continues the process of the transition of the eight existing councils in the Auckland region into one Auckland Council. This includes establishing the Council as a unitary authority, providing a two-tier governance structure for the new Council, giving direction and powers for the Local Government Commission, and ensuring that the decision-making roles of the two tiers of the Council are allocated according to clear principles.

Download a Fact Sheet (PDF, 100KB) detailing the principle points of the Act.

The Local Government Commission will determine the boundaries of Auckland, the boundaries of the wards of Auckland, and the number, names and boundaries of each local board area.

Further legislation

A third Auckland governance Bill will be introduced later in 2009. The Bill will:

complete the legislative framework for on-going governance arrangements in Auckland (by amending what will then be the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, and other legislation);
amend the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009, and possibly other legislation, to make further and full provision for the establishment of the Auckland Council and dissolution of existing Auckland local authorities on 1 November 2010; and
make such provision as is necessary for the interim operation of the Auckland Council from 1 November 2010, pending it developing its own LTCCP, rating and financial policies, RMA plans and policies.

The Select Committee will make arrangements for a public submission process once the Bill is referred to it from the House. Details of the Select Committee arrangements will appear on the Parliamentary website later this year.