The Government’s decisions on Auckland Governance April 2009

The Government has decided on a framework for governing the region which balances the need for elected representatives to be able to think strategically on behalf of the whole region, and for local communities to have a strong voice on issues closer to home

- One unitary Auckland Council as the first tier of governance.
- One mayor for Auckland with governance powers, elected at large by the region’s residents and ratepayers.
- Twenty councillors to sit on the Auckland Council (8 elected at large and 12 elected from wards).
- Twenty to 30 local boards across the region as the second tier of governance.
- The final number or local boards, and the boundaries of the
Auckland Council, wards and local boards to be determined by the Local
Government Commission.

The combination of the new Auckland Council and the Local Boards will lead to better connections across the region, better value from rates and central government funding, and community control of what matters in our neighbourhoods.

Visit www.auckland.govt.nz to view the report.

Tax Cuts April 1st

Tax cuts took effect on the 1st of April, delivering on National's election promises and providing a billion-dollar boost to households throughout New Zealand. The changes lift the after-tax income of those on average wage by around $18 a week.

The Government also included a new independent earner tax credit of $10 a week for people earning between $24,000 and $44,000 a year and who are not receiving state support.

These tax cuts are part of the Government's plans for rewarding effort and providing better incentives for New Zealanders to get ahead.

Additional Tax Cut Information- 1.5 million workers received a tax cut on April 1. This equates to 68% of all workers (2.2 million).
- Of the 1.5 million workers who benefit from the tax cuts, 630,000
lower income workers will get up to $10 a week from the new Independent
Earner Tax Credit. This is available to workers earning between $24,000
and $48,000 who do not get other state support.

Nepal Festival Event
The Nepal Festival Event is happening on Saturday the 11th of April from 1 - 5pm. There will be Nepalese food, handicraft, tourism stalls as well as audiovisuals about Nepal, live music and much more!

The Ambassador of Nepal to NZ His Excellency Y. Dhakal, Honorary consul Lady June, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board will highlight about Nepalese culture, Nepal-NZ relations and tourism. I will be attending this event, it would be great to see you there.

Venu: John Davies Performing Art Centre
Blockhouse Bay Pri- School, 584 B’house Bay Rd, Auckland

Auckland International Cultural Festival a Success!

The cultural festival was a success! There was a great mixture of ethnic dancing, music and entertainment, and a foodie's delight with many ethnic food stalls. The crowd of 40,000 people was well behaved and a great time had by all. Thank you to all the volunteers who managed the National Party stall and to those who visited us. we had many visitors and inquires and gave out hundreds of copies of John Key's 100 day action plan.

Have a safe and happy Easter!

This entry was posted by admin on Thursday, April 9. 2009 at 18:30. and is filed under News.