New Zealand First wants to disestablish Auckland Transport. Photo: LDR
New Zealand First wants to kill Auckland's transportation authority and allow council to create a new organisation.
NZ First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said Auckland Transport was a failed experiment without enough accountability to the people of Auckland.
Auckland Transport was first established in 2010, when Auckland's seven districts amalgamated into the city council, taking over the work of the Auckland Regional Transportation Authority.
It is one of four council-controlled organisations in Auckland, with the council responsible for appointing at least 50 percent of the board.
New Zealand First has introduced a member's bill that would disestablish Auckland Transport.
Peters said if passed into law the bill would restore democratic oversight to the hands of Auckland councillors and ensure that decision-making resided with elected representatives.
"This Bill is about bringing democratic accountability back to Auckland's transport system," he said in a statement.
"Auckland's transport system is in disarray with very little input or influence by the sitting council.
"This bill will restore that balance, ensuring that decisions are made by those who are directly accountable to the public," Peters said.
The bill has been introduced in the name of Jamie Arbuckle, a NZ First MP and current Marlborough District Councillor.
With a one year delay from its passing, the council will be able to create a new council-controlled organisation, subject to the existing provisions in the Local Government Act.
It is unclear whether a new council-controlled organisation would work on transport.
Mayor Wayne Brown has posted his support of the bill on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Anything that puts control of Auckland's transport system back in the hands of Aucklanders is a good thing," he wrote.
The bill must be drawn from the biscuit tin in order to be considered by Parliament.
Auckland Transport said it was open to quality change in the organisation, but was getting on with transport projects in the meantime.
"We're already working closely with Auckland Council and the minister of transport on a CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) review," chief executive Dean Kimpton said.
"And I can confirm we're open to getting quality change in - no question."
He said they were not across the detail of the members' bill.
He said Auckland Transport were "getting on with the job" and focused on delivering City Rail Link, the Eastern Busway, and maintenance.
