Category: General

Everything else

New ATEED Director Named

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Auckland Uni Vice Chancellor names as new Board Director of ATEED

From the Office of the Mayor Len Brown

Education leader joins ATEED board

One of New Zealand’s most respected educators has been appointed a director of Auckland Council’s economic growth agency.

University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon has joined the board of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – the council-controlled organisation (CCO) responsible for helping deliver economic transformation and Auckland Council’s vision to become the world’s most liveable city.

Council’s CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee approved Professor McCutcheon’s appointment at its July meeting and the appointment brings the board up to its full complement of seven.

Mayor Len Brown says he’s delighted Professor McCutcheon has joined the ATEED Board. “Under Professor McCutcheon’s watch, the commercial potential of Auckland University research has been unlocked. He will bring to bear a perfect range of experience to help ATEED’s ongoing transformation of Auckland’s economy.”

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse who chairs the CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee says Professor McCutcheon’s academic achievements in science are renowned. “His career has revealed a large and sharp capability in education governance and he will make a very valuable contribution to the ATEED Board.”

ATEED Chair David McConnell says: “I look forward to the real strengths and wise counsel Professor McCutcheon will undoubtedly bring to ATEED’s governance – particularly around our priority to develop an effective strategic relationship with Auckland’s world-class tertiary institutions.”

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Just remember ATEED is not the flavour of the month with Auckland ratepayers with 27,000 Long Term Plan submitters wanting ATEED’s budget slashed and the Governing Body of Auckland Council doing the exact opposite.

Absent Councillors from Committees of the Whole – And Workshops

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More that 50% absent

I will name and shame

I have been made aware that we have a problem with absenteeism at the Committees of the Whole, and the Governing Body of Auckland Council all which meet on a respective Thursday (sometimes a Tuesday) through a given month. That absenteeism extends to attendance of these Committees getting to under 50% of all the Councillors being present.

Below being a screengrab of the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee today:

Bit empty at the August Regional Strat and policy meeting today
Bit empty at the August Regional Strat and policy meeting today

I will be checking the Minutes of each Committee of the Whole, and the Governing Body from now on for attendance levels. I will name and shame those who are absent unless they are:

  • Dead
  • Sick
  • Winter Holiday (June-July Councillors rotate through on a holiday and that is fine)
  • Council Business which usually comes from being “deployed” by the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor

Holding community clinics on a Committee day is not acceptable as you the Councillor are meant to represent the Community at these Committees <_<

First list of attendance goes up as soon as the Regional Strategy and Policy Minutes come through.

I will be watching

Race Relations Commission to Present to Auckland Council

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Dame Susan Devoy to present

From Auckland Council

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy to present at committee

Acknowledging that Auckland is one of the country’s most ethnically diverse cities, with 39 per cent of the population born overseas, the theme of Auckland Council’s Community Development and Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday 5 August is ‘migrants, refugees and race relations’.

Presentations from Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, the New Zealand Immigration Service, and Auckland migrant and refugee organisations are among items on the committee meeting agenda.

The committee, chaired by Councillor Cathy Casey, will receive the following reports and updates:

  • Race Relations Commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy, on behalf of the Human Right’s Commission; Dame Susan will focus on race relations, issues for Aucklanders and the upcoming Diversity Forum that will be held at AUT in September 2015.
  • Immigration New Zealand; presentation on New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Programme and the New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy.
  • New Zealand Police; presentation on the New Zealand Police programmes that are part of the government’s Migrant Integration and Settlement Strategy and the Refugee Resettlement Strategy.
  • Auckland Council Ethnic People’s Advisory Panel; the Chair of the panel will present on the panel’s work and key topics of interest.
  • Update on homelessness and emergency housing; Council staff will give an update on council activity in these areas, including the Regional Homelessness Action Plan and a new Homelessness Fund approved through the council’s 10-year budget (Long-term Plan 2015-2025).
  • Migrants and refugees report; Council staff will give an overview of council’s strategic plans and activity for migrants and refugees, including the funding of a Diversity Forum in September 2015 in collaboration with the Human Right’s Commission.
  • Public input; presentations will be received from the Chinese New Settlers Trust, Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust, the Auckland Refugee Community Coalition, and an item on the Action on Alcohol Plan.

The public and media are welcome to attend the meeting from 9:30am.

When: Wednesday 5 August, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Where: Chinese New Settlers Services Trust Office, 15-19 Clifton Court, Panmure.

The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

 

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