While there were cuts at the lower levels.

I remember when apply for a job that dealt with the implantation side of the Auckland Plan and how I got a phone call (and I had to make one later on because the HR department “forgot” to update me) after progressing through various recruitment rounds only to find out that job no longer existed due to “budget cuts.” Those budget cuts were the review that was happening in the Planning division of Auckland Council at the time. So after being told of budget cuts did I see three new positions for Auckland Plan implementation open up although this time for three senior managers.

And here they are – this from Auckland Council

New staff to boost delivery of Auckland Plan

Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer Roger Blakeley has appointed three new senior staff after a review of the planning division saw a realignment of responsibilities designed to future-proof the council’s strategy and planning team and help to create the world’s most liveable city.

Roger Blakeley says that the first four years of the division were about establishing the planning framework for a unified Auckland, developing long-term strategic plans to guide Auckland’s development.

“Our focus now is to build on those foundations and shift towards delivery on the ground, as well as completing some of the major planning work such as the council input to the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan process.

“This is about turning the Auckland Plan’s ambitious goals into reality, delivering value for money and action on the ground for residents, customers, citizens and visitors. It is also about scanning international trends amongst liveable cities and providing high level strategic advice to the council.” he says.

“I’m thrilled to fill these three key roles with high calibre candidates, each with a wealth of knowledge and experience in their field.”

They are:

Kataraina Maki has been appointed General Manager, Community and Social Policy. This is a new role created to lead the development of high quality community and social policy advice for the Governing Body and its committees. She has a strong record of achievement in community policy-funding and social policy environments in local and central government. Her most recent role has been as the General Manager of the Glenn Enquiry into child abuse and domestic violence. She is currently based in the Bay of Plenty.

Chris Parker has been appointed Chief Economist until August 2016 while Chief Economist Geoff Cooper is on sabbatical at Princeton. He will provide advice on Auckland’s economic issues for the Mayor and elected representatives. He also will provide advice on the state of the Auckland economy to the Auckland community.  Chris currently works as a Senior Economist for the NZ Institute of Economic Research. He has extensive experience in cost-benefit appraisal and developing policies, regulations and public investment strategies. He has provided economic advice on the City Centre Masterplan, City Rail Link and the additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing and other major transport projects. He is currently based in Wellington.

John Mauro has been appointed Chief Sustainability Officer. In this newly-created role, John will promote sustainability practices within council and in Auckland generally. John recently worked as Principal Transport Planner in the council’s Strategy and Research Team. Before that he worked for a US organisation and was responsible for mobilising business support for major transport legislation, and as a climate policy analyst in the Mayor of Seattle’s office, where he helped the Mayor establish a coalition of one thousand US mayors for climate protection.  He has also had experience in working with non-government organisations promoting liveable communities and smart growth. John brings leadership skills, policy understanding and experience working at a senior political level.

Further senior staff appointments will be announced in the near future…..

—-ends—-

The podcast on the new Auckland Development CCO will be put up later in the afternoon. But I hold the suspicion of too my chiefs at the top and not enough Indians at the bottom to get anything meaningful really done. Remembering while the Auckland Plan annual update gave the implementation a pass rate, three of the big key factors that affect Auckland’s health were still off target….