Auckland Regional Council

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is the regional council (one of the local government authorities) of the Auckland Region. Its current chairman is Mike Lee, together with 12 other Councillors. The ARC was created as the successor of the Auckland Regional Authority.

History

The ARC was preceded by the Auckland Regional Authority, which was formed in the mid 1960s with drinking water supply being one of its first areas of responsibility. [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/Introduction/bush/chap4.asp History of Auckland City - Chapter 4] (from the Auckland City Council website. Accessed 2008-06-07.)]

tructure

Powers

Unlike New Zealand's territorial authorities of Greater Auckland, it has an umbrella function covering all the various cities and districts making up the region, but its regulatory power and funding abilities are in turn restricted to several areas including public transport, environmental protection and regional parks. The ARC is an elected body, and collects its own rates.

The ARC has been getting more involved in land use regulation, a move which has met with criticism from some politicians of the concerned Councils who normally regulate such matters. [" [http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10409258 John Law: Our mayors should anchor the ARC] " - "New Zealand Herald", Monday 06 November 2006] This criticism surfaced especially during a short-lived 2006 debate on further integration of the Auckland area, where many of the proposals included a proposed abolishment of the ARC, or a changed, less independent role. [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10400509 Supersized rates bill for super city] " - "New Zealand Herald", Saturday 09 September, 2006]

Funding

Of the rates collected by the ARC, 50% go to fund public transport via its ARTA subsidiary, [" [http://www.nscc.govt.nz/your_council/News_Releases/Releases-2006/February/Public-transport-funding-gap-highlighted-in-ARC-Funding-gap.htm Public transport funding gap highlighted in ARC Draft LTCCP] " - ARC press release, Sunday 27 February 2005] which is to amount to NZ$155 million in 2007/2008, up from 124 million in the preceding 2-year period 2006/2007. ["Transport - How we will do this" (from the "Summary Draft Annual Plan and amendments to the ten-year plan" leaflet, April 2007, Page 4)] The ARC also manages 25 regional parks with 400 km² and 150 km of coastline, for which 15% of its total funding is spent. ["Regional parks - How we will do this" (from the "Summary Draft Annual Plan and amendments to the ten-year plan" leaflet, April 2007, Page 6)] A further 19% is spent on ecological concerns, such as water quality and protecting ecosystems. ["Natural environments and heritage - How we will do this" (from the "Summary Draft Annual Plan and amendments to the ten-year plan" leaflet, April 2007, Page 8)] Other minor percentages fund areas like 'Built Environment' (4%), 'Safety' (1%), 'Economic development' (3%) and 'Regional Leadership and community development' (8%). ["Various sections" (from the "Summary Draft Annual Plan and amendments to the ten-year plan" leaflet, April 2007, Page 7-11)]

Current Council

The current council is chaired by Mike Lee.Fact|date=December 2007

ubsidiary entities

*Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH) (Holding entity, owner of Ports of Auckland and other assets)
*Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) (responsible for planning, funding and developing the Auckland regional land transport system)

References

External links

* [http://www.arc.govt.nz Auckland Regional Council] (official website)