Although a lot more water will need to pass under the Tuakau Bridge, the Pokeno Residents and Ratepayers Association chair is confident that Waikato’s Tuakau-Pokeno Ward will become part of the Super City.
Buoyed by a recent meeting with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and comments by his counterpart at the Waikato District Council (WDC), Aksel Bech, Chester says a decision could be made as early as July.
The evidence suggests that, to some degree, the grass is greener on the northern side of the Waikato River.
“There’s a long-standing conversation in this community, in Tuakau, Pokeno, Mercer and other parts of the [north Waikato] district, about affordability and rates,” he says. “It’s an estimate only but, based on bills from Auckland and Waikato, for a house worth 950,000, we’re looking at around about a 24 per cent saving for ratepayers if we become part of Auckland, that’s about $1600 a year.”
As Waikato councils have been looking at amalgamation options, the timing may be right for the region’s northern-most ward to break away, but it can’t be achieved without the consent of councillors in Auckland and Ngaruawahia, WDC’s base.
“We reached Mayor Brown’s office. His comments were, informally, that they have to be neutral at this stage, but they’re ‘positive neutral’ going forward,” Chester says. “WDC Mayor Aksel [Bech] has actually said openly in meetings that he would concur with this. He said that he’s not going to be standing in the public’s way.”
Brown told the Times that he is open to discussions.
“Some Auckland residents don’t appreciate what good value they get from all the services here,” he says. “There’s a lot more work needed on the idea, but it’s good that Waikato District residents see the benefits of [becoming part of] Auckland.”
Bech confirms that he won’t stand in the way of democracy.
“The concept of a ‘reunited Franklin’, if supported by the majority, should be discussed and now would be that time given the overall larger reform of local government,” he says. “My current position is neutral – my role is to encourage community empowerment, enable and support communities to bring their own vision of themselves to reality, rather than to determine that for them.”
Also from the WDC, Tuakau-Pokeno General Ward Councillor, Fabio Rodrigues, has been a “neutral observer.” Both Bech and Rodrigues have encouraged Chester to use the council’s petition route to ensure that he has local backing.
“Rob’s done a great job in getting a foot in the door and this conversation underway,” says Rodrigues, “But this will go to a council vote.”
Auckland councillors may vote to roll out the welcome mat and Waikato councillors may not stop the ward leaving the fold, but even then the approval of Minister for Local Government, Simon Watts, would also be required. Chester explains.
“We’re interested in, first and foremost, a petition, but if we get to the Minister and he’s happy with the evidence, then we will lobby this into central government – that’s our intention as an association,” he says.
“Then there’s transfer of assets and infrastructure, as well as debts, and a lot of governance discussions. They’ve been informal conversations so far and there’s lots of work ahead of us, so we can’t get too excited yet.”
Ultimately, it will depend on the people to confirm which side of the river that they prefer to call home.
“We’re not vigilantes, we’re not left wing, we’re evidenced led,” Chester adds. “We think this is [the right move], but it will come down to the community to decide.”
