Last night I attended the Auckland CBD Residents Advisory Groups (RAG) monthly meeting and was not surprised to hear that the number one issue on the minds of residents is uncertainty about what the Super City has to offer.
There are a number of issues on which RAG would like clarity, but the most pressing one is to do with the separate targeted rate the Auckland City Council currently levies on all CBD residential titles – over and above the applicable general rates charged.
RAG represents the 25,000 people who call inner-city Auckland home and it was fitting for me to be the first MP to attend a RAG meeting as 41 per cent of Auckland CBD residents speak English as a second language, with the majority of this group being Asian.
With this statistic in mind, it makes an even more compelling reason for an Asian Advisory Board or Committee to be set up as part of Auckland’s Super City.
The RAG core executive also recognised this, and has suggested the Asian Community form links with their board.
It was beneficial and eye-opening to hear concerns directly from the residents who will be affected by the Super City and also be vindicated in my quest to ensure an Asian voice as part of Auckland’s future.
As I pointed out in my Press Release http://www.labour.org.nz/news/huo-welcomes-change-heart-asian-voice if Rodney Hide and Pansy Wong are sincere about having an Ethnic Voice on the Super City, why mandate it for just three years?
It sounds like a good idea.
Great work Raymond. I think its a great idea. If we want an undivided multi cultural society, we links between groups like local governance, residents groups, community groups with cultural groups. If the National party want things they will need to start working with the community.
Good to see that you are getting out their Raymond great stuff, looks like you are working hard.
But now you’ll have to keep on their case to ensure that the Ethnic Advisory Panel actually has real clout, and is not just ran roughshod over.