February 26, 2016
Botched zone change shows leadership gap
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare says a lack of leadership by Auckland Council has made it harder to build the housing needed for the city’s growing population.
The council this week bowed to pressure from a well organised ratepayers’ group, which was angry at the way larger areas had been rezoned for more intensive housing and apartments after submissions to the Unitary Plan had closed.
The plan was supported by the Maori Statutory Board member on the committee and by groups advocating for young people, who say they are locked out of the city’s over-heated housing market.
Mr Henare says the view from the marae is that the decision shows, where the real power lies in the city.
" All of a sudden when consultation doesn't work properly for the powerful ratepayers in the great city of Tamaki Makaurau, decisions are halted and processes are stopped. Consultation with our people is just a bit of a box ticking exercise but heoi ano you know it's one of those things that really shows a lack of real strong leadership on some of the big issues facing Tamaki Makaurau," says Peeni Henare
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