Chairs Comments
Chairperson - Zone 1 Representative
Mike Cohen QSO
coherent.nz@gmail.com
Phone (027) 290 4942
I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the immediate Past Chair, Yvonne Palmer, who has held the position so admirably for the past 12 years. Community Boards are part of the structure of modern local government and as Chair of the New Zealand Community Boards' Executive Committee I strive to
- work collaboratively with the Executive Committee to represent and promote the national interests of Community Boards
- maintain a strong working relationship with the Local Government New Zealand National Council and all local authorities
- assist Community Boards around the country with best practice implementation
- work with councils to increase the understanding of how effective community boards can contribute positively to the achievement of a local authority's vision
- advocate on behalf of all elected members to the Government and Remuneration Authority
A key focus over the next period will be to keep a close watch on the amalgamation of the Auckland arms of local governance, and to advocate strongly for free and fair representation for our Auckland communities. In addition, the number of by-elections held since the 2007 local body elections is of concern to the Executive Committee, and we will be looking to put safeguards in place to prevent this situation from re-occurring. Other matters the Executive Committee aims to address over the next 18 months include representation, remuneration, targeted rates, and mileage reimbursement.
Chairperson Reports
Last updated: April 2009
