Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Act 2010

31 New Parts 4 to 8 substituted
  • Part 4 is repealed and the following Parts are substituted:

    Part  4
    Transport management for Auckland

    37 Interpretation
    • (1) In this Part, unless the context requires another meaning,—

      Auckland transport system

      • (a) means—

        • (i) the roads (as defined in section 315 of the Local Government Act 1974) within Auckland; and

        • (ii) the public transport services (as defined in section 4 of the Public Transport Management Act 2008) within Auckland; and

        • (iii) the public transport infrastructure owned by the Council; and

        • (iv) the public transport infrastructure owned by or under the control of Auckland Transport; but

      • (b) does not include—

        • (i) State highways:

        • (ii) railways under the control of New Zealand Railways Corporation:

        • (iii) off-street parking facilities under the control of the Council:

        • (iv) airfields

      director includes the chairperson and the deputy chairperson of the board of directors of Auckland Transport

      New Zealand Railways Corporation means the corporation constituted under section 4 of the New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981

      New Zealand Transport Agency means the Crown entity established by section 93 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

      (2) In this Part, unless the context requires another meaning, land transport, regional land transport programme, and State highway have the same meanings as in section 5(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

    Auckland Transport

    38 Establishment of Auckland Transport
    • (1) This section establishes Auckland Transport.

      (2) Auckland Transport is—

      • (a) a body corporate with perpetual succession; and

      • (b) a council-controlled organisation of the Auckland Council.

      (3) For the purposes of the Local Government Act 2002, the Auckland Council must be treated as if it were the sole shareholder of Auckland Transport.

    39 Purpose of Auckland Transport
    • The purpose of Auckland Transport is to contribute to an effective and efficient land transport system to support Auckland's social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being.

    40 Operating principles
    • In meeting its principal objective (as a council-controlled organisation) under section 59 of the Local Government Act 2002, and in performing its functions, Auckland Transport must—

      • (a) establish and maintain processes for Māori to contribute to its decision-making processes; and

      • (b) operate in a financially responsible manner and, for this purpose, prudently manage its assets and liabilities and endeavour to ensure—

        • (i) its long-term financial viability; and

        • (ii) that it acts as a successful going concern; and

      • (c) use its revenue efficiently and effectively, and in a manner that seeks value for money; and

      • (d) ensure that its revenue and expenditure are accounted for in a transparent manner; and

      • (e) ensure that it acts in a transparent manner in making decisions under this Act and the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

    41 Status and powers of Auckland Transport
    • (1) For the purpose of performing its functions, Auckland Transport has—

      • (a) full capacity to carry on or undertake any activity or business, do any act, or enter into any transaction; and

      • (b) for the purposes of paragraph (a), full rights, powers, and privileges.

      (2) Subsection (1) is subject to the rest of this Act.

    42 Auckland Transport's status as council-controlled organisation and application of Part 5 of Local Government Act 2002
    • (1) For the purposes of section 38(2)(b) of this Act, Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 applies to Auckland Transport with the modifications set out in subsections (2) and (3).

      (2) Section 60 of the Local Government Act 2002 must be read as if the following paragraphs were added:

      • “‘(c) the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009; and

      • “‘(d) any rules made by the Auckland Council under section 49 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009.

      (3) Section 74 of the Local Government Act 2002 must be read as if the following subsection were inserted after subsection (1):

      • “‘(1A) Part 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 applies to Auckland Transport as if Auckland Transport were a local authority named in Schedule 2 of that Act, but only in relation to any meeting or part of a meeting at which Auckland Transport intends to make, or will make, a bylaw.

    Governing body of Auckland Transport

    43 Governing body of Auckland Transport
    • (1) The governing body of Auckland Transport is the board of directors.

      (2) The board of directors comprises—

      • (a) no fewer than 6 and no more than 8 voting directors, of whom 2 may be members of the governing body of the Auckland Council; and

      • (b) 1 non-voting director nominated by the New Zealand Transport Agency (who may be a person who is the holder of an identified office or position within the New Zealand Transport Agency).

      (3) The board, including its chairperson and deputy chairperson, must be appointed by the Auckland Council. However, the Council must not appoint a member of its own governing body as the chairperson or deputy chairperson of the board.

      (4) If the director referred to in subsection (2)(b) is the holder of an identified office or position within the New Zealand Transport Agency and ceases to hold that office or position, or is absent, a person authorised by that Agency may perform the director's role for the purposes of this Act until the director's successor is appointed or while the director is absent.

      (5) The powers and functions of Auckland Transport are not affected by any vacancy in the membership of the board of directors.

    44 Duties of directors
    • (1) A director must not breach this Act or cause a breach, or agree to any breach by Auckland Transport, of this Act.

      (2) A director must, when acting as a director, act with honesty and integrity.

      (3) A director must, when acting as a director, act in good faith and not pursue his or her own interests at the expense of Auckland Transport's interests.

      (4) A director must, when acting as a director, exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable person would exercise in the same circumstances, taking into account (without limitation)—

      • (a) the nature of Auckland Transport; and

      • (b) the nature of the action; and

      • (c) the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him or her.

    Functions, powers, etc, of Auckland Transport

    45 Functions of Auckland Transport
    • The functions of Auckland Transport are to—

      • (a) prepare the regional land transport programme for Auckland in accordance with the Land Transport Management Act 2003; and

      • (b) manage and control the Auckland transport system in accordance with this Act, including by—

        • (i) performing the statutory functions and exercising the statutory powers set out in section 46 as if Auckland Transport were a local authority or other statutory body, as the case may be; and

        • (ii) acting as a requiring authority under section 167 of the Resource Management Act 1991 in accordance with section 47; and

      • (c) carry out research and provide education and training in relation to land transport in Auckland; and

      • (d) undertake any other transport functions that the Auckland Council may lawfully direct it to perform or delegate to it (for example, management of off-street parking facilities owned by the Council); and

      • (e) without limiting paragraph (d), undertake any transport functions expressly conferred on the Auckland Council by any enactment (for example, under a local Act) that the Council may lawfully direct it to perform or delegate to it; and

      • (f) undertake or exercise any functions, powers, and duties in respect of State highways that the New Zealand Transport Agency may lawfully delegate to it; and

      • (g) undertake any other functions that are given to it by this Act or any other enactment, or that are incidental and related to, or consequential upon, any of its functions under this Act or any other enactment.

    46 Functions and powers of Auckland Transport acting as local authority or other statutory body
    • (1) Auckland Transport has the following functions and powers in relation to the Auckland transport system:

      • (a) the functions and powers of a local authority and an enforcement authority under the Transport Act 1962 for the purposes of prosecuting stationary vehicle offences:

      • (b) the powers of a local authority under section 72 of the Transport Act 1962:

      • (c) the functions and powers of a council under Part 21 of the Local Government Act 1974, except—

        • (i) the power to name or alter the name of a road under section 319(j) of that Act; and

        • (ii) the functions and powers under sections 316(2), 319A, 319B, and 347 to 352 of that Act:

      • (d) the powers of a council under sections 591, 591A, and 684 of the Local Government Act 1974 (except the power conferred by section 591(1)(a) of that Act):

      • (e) the functions and powers of a local authority, a territorial authority, and a controlling authority under Part 4 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989:

      • (f) the functions and powers of an enforcement authority under the Land Transport Act 1998 in relation to prosecuting infringement offences under that Act that relate to the use of special vehicle lanes within Auckland:

      • (g) the functions and powers of a road controlling authority and a local authority under the Land Transport Act 1998 and any regulations or rules made under that Act:

      • (h) the functions and powers of a local authority to make and enforce bylaws under subparts 1 and 2 of Part 8 of the Local Government Act 2002 (except the power conferred by section 147 of that Act):

      • (i) the functions and powers of a public road controlling authority under Part 2 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 in relation to road tolling schemes and concession agreements:

      • (j) the functions and powers of a regional council under the Public Transport Management Act 2008 in relation to public transport planning and regulation within Auckland.

      (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the enactments referred to in that subsection apply with any necessary modifications.

      (3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(f), Auckland Transport may appoint persons to be enforcement officers in Auckland in relation to any offence against a bylaw made by Auckland Transport under the Transport Act 1962 in relation to a special vehicle lane, and, for that purpose,—

      • (a) section 177 of the Local Government Act 2002 applies to an appointment with any necessary modifications; and

      • (b) each person must be treated as an enforcement officer within the meaning of section 5(1) of that Act.

      (4) Nothing in this section vests ownership of any road, land, or other property in Auckland Transport or affects the operation of section 316(1) of the Local Government Act 1974.

      (5) Subsection (1)(c) is subject to section 48.

    47 Auckland Transport is requiring authority
    • (1) Auckland Transport is deemed to be approved as a requiring authority, as a network utility operator, under section 167 of the Resource Management Act 1991 for the following purposes:

      • (a) constructing or operating or proposing to construct or operate roads in relation to the Auckland transport system; and

      • (b) the carrying out of an activity or a proposed activity (other than an activity described in paragraph (a)) in relation to the Auckland transport system for which it or the Auckland Council has financial responsibility.

      (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), Part 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991 applies—

      • (a) with any necessary modifications (and despite the fact that an activity described in subsection (1)(b) is not a network utility operation within the meaning of section 166 of that Act); but

      • (b) subject to subsection (3) and section 48(3).

      (3) If section 180(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991 applies to a project or work that is an activity described in subsection (1)(b), Auckland Transport may exercise the power under that section only by transferring the relevant designation to—

      • (a) a Minister of the Crown; or

      • (b) the New Zealand Transport Agency; or

      • (c) the New Zealand Railways Corporation; or

      • (d) the Auckland Council.

      (4) The New Zealand Transport Agency and the New Zealand Railways Corporation are prohibited from further transferring any designation that they receive under subsection (3).

      (5) In subsection (2), activity has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

      (6) This section is subject to section 48.

    48 Limitations on Auckland Transport acting under section 46(1)(c) or 47
    • (1) Subsection (2) applies if Auckland Transport, acting under section 46(1)(c) of this Act, decides to dispose of land not required for a road under section 345 of the Local Government Act 1974.

      (2) Auckland Transport must inform the Auckland Council, in writing, of its decision, and the Council must dispose of the land in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1974.

      (3) Subsection (4) applies if—

      • (a) Auckland Transport, acting under section 47 of this Act, decides to acquire or take land, which is required for a project or work, in accordance with section 186 of the Resource Management Act 1991; or

      • (b) by operation of sections 185(5) and (6) and 186 of the Resource Management Act 1991, the Minister of Lands is deemed to have entered into an agreement on behalf of Auckland Transport to acquire or lease land subject to a designation or requirement.

      (4) Auckland Transport must inform the Auckland Council, in writing, of its decision to apply for the compulsory acquisition of the land, or the deemed agreement, as the case may be, and any land taken or acquired as a result vests in the Auckland Council.

      (5) Subsection (4) prevails over sections 185 and 186(2) and (4) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

    Auckland Council's role in transport matters

    49 Council may make operating rules for Auckland Transport
    • (1) The Auckland Council may make rules by which Auckland Transport must operate, including rules in relation to—

      • (a) how the governing body of Auckland Transport must operate:

      • (b) how Auckland Transport must appoint and employ staff (including its chief executive):

      • (c) how Auckland Transport must acquire and dispose of significant assets.

      (2) A rule made under this section must not be inconsistent with the rest of this Act or Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2002.

      (3) Section 6(3)(d) of the Local Government Act 2002 applies to a rule made under this section.

      (4) Subsections (2) and (3) are for the avoidance of doubt.

    50 Council prohibited from performing functions and exercising powers conferred on Auckland Transport under sections 46 and 47
    • (1) The Auckland Council must not perform any function or exercise any power that this Act has conferred upon Auckland Transport under section 46.

      (2) The Auckland Council must not act as a requiring authority in relation to any matter for which Auckland Transport has requiring authority status under section 47(1).

      (3) Subsection (1) applies unless Auckland Transport delegates the performance of the function or the exercise of the power to the Auckland Council under section 54.

      (4) Subsection (3) applies unless Auckland Transport transfers the designation concerned to the Council under section 47(3).

      (5) Nothing in this section prevents the Auckland Council from performing the functions or exercising the powers of a local authority described in section 46(1)(h), or performing the functions or exercising the powers of a requiring authority under the Resource Management Act 1991, in respect of an area that forms part of the Auckland transport system for a purpose that is not transport-related (for example, to regulate the use of a footpath, public space, or road reserve for liquor control purposes, or to designate a corridor that passes through a road).

      (6) Subsection (5) applies whether the Council is performing the function or exercising the power as the owner of a road or other land, or otherwise.

    51 Council's powers under Public Works Act 1981 fettered for works relating to Auckland transport system
    • (1) The Auckland Council must exercise its powers as a local authority under the Public Works Act 1981 to acquire or dispose of land, as the case may be, if the Council has received notice from Auckland Transport under section 48(2) or (4) in relation to that land.

      (2) In any other case, the Auckland Council may exercise its powers as a local authority under the Public Works Act 1981 to acquire or dispose of land in relation to the Auckland transport system and for any transport-related purpose only if Auckland Transport has agreed to the acquisition or disposal of that land.

    52 Council's jurisdiction in respect of roads defined more widely than in Local Government Act 1974
    • (1) Nothing in this Part limits or affects the Auckland Council's jurisdiction in respect of roads within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Land Transport Act 1998 that are not roads within the meaning of section 315 of the Local Government Act 1974.

      (2) This section is for the avoidance of doubt.

    Miscellaneous provisions relating to Auckland Transport

    53 Validity of directors' acts
    • The acts of a person as a director, chairperson, or deputy chairperson of Auckland Transport are valid even though—

      • (a) a defect existed in the appointment of the person; or

      • (b) the occasion for the person's acts, or for his or her appointment, had not arisen or had ended.

    54 Delegations
    • (1) Auckland Transport may delegate to a committee or an employee of Auckland Transport, or to the Auckland Council, any of its responsibilities, duties, functions, and powers except—

      • (a) the power to approve or adopt any policy, plan, or programme that it is required to consult on using the special consultative procedure (for example, the regional land transport programme under the Land Transport Management Act 2003 and the regional public transport plan under the Public Transport Management Act 2008); and

      • (b) the power to make a bylaw under any enactment referred to in section 46(1); and

      • (c) the power to borrow money or purchase or dispose of any assets of Auckland Transport; and

      • (d) any duty to appoint a chief executive officer.

      (2) This section applies subject to any provision to the contrary in this or any other enactment.

      (3) Nothing in this section restricts the power of Auckland Transport to delegate to a committee or an employee of Auckland Transport, or to the Auckland Council, the power to do anything precedent to the exercise or performance by Auckland Transport (after consultation with the committee, employee, or the Council) of any power or duty specified in subsection (1).

      (4) A committee or an employee of Auckland Transport, or the Auckland Council, may delegate any of its or his or her responsibilities, duties, functions, or powers to a subcommittee or person, subject to any conditions, limitations, or prohibitions imposed by Auckland Transport when making the original delegation.

      (5) A committee, a subcommittee, or an employee of Auckland Transport or the Auckland Council to which or to whom any responsibilities, duties, functions, or powers are delegated may, without confirmation by Auckland Transport, the Council, or the committee or person that made the delegation, exercise or perform them in the same way and with the same effect as if Auckland Transport itself had exercised or performed those responsibilities, duties, functions, or powers.

      (6) Auckland Transport may delegate to the Auckland Council, or any other organisation or person, the enforcement, inspection, licensing, and administration related to bylaws and other regulatory matters for which it is responsible.

      (7) To avoid doubt, no delegation relieves Auckland Transport of the liability or legal responsibility to perform or to ensure the performance of any function or duty.

      (8) A delegation to the Auckland Council may be made generally or specifically to the governing body or 1 or more local boards.

      (9) The delegation powers in this clause are in addition to any power of delegation Auckland Transport has under any other enactment.

    55 Restriction on borrowing
    • Auckland Transport must not borrow any funds without the written agreement of the Auckland Council.

    56 Auckland Transport's jurisdiction in respect of roads defined more widely than in Local Government Act 1974
    • (1) Nothing in this Part confers jurisdiction on Auckland Transport in respect of roads within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Land Transport Act 1998 that are not roads within the meaning of section 315 of the Local Government Act 1974.

      (2) This section is for the avoidance of doubt.

    Part 5
    Water supply and wastewater services for Auckland

    57 Obligations of Auckland water organisation
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation—

      • (a) must manage its operations efficiently with a view to keeping the overall costs of water supply and waste-water services to its customers (collectively) at the minimum levels consistent with the effective conduct of its undertakings and the maintenance of the long-term integrity of its assets; and

      • (b) must not pay any dividend or distribute any surplus in any way, directly or indirectly, to any owner or shareholder; and

      • (c) is not required to comply with section 68(b) of the Local Government Act 2002; and

      • (d) must have regard for public safety (for example, the safety of children in urban areas) in relation to its structures.

      (2) However, subsection (1)(b) does not prevent an Auckland water organisation from making a taxable bonus issue (as defined in section YA 1 of the Income Tax Act 2007).

    58 Auckland water organisation must give effect to LTCCP and act consistently with other specified plans and strategies of Council
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation must give effect to the relevant aspects of the LTCCP.

      (2) An Auckland water organisation must act consistently with the relevant aspects of any other plan (including a local board plan) or strategy of the Council to the extent specified in writing by the governing body of the Council.

      (3) However, nothing in this section or section 92 authorises non-compliance with section 57 by an Auckland water organisation.

    59 Auckland water organisation may occupy certain Crown land without charge
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation is not required to pay rent to the Crown in relation to any land in an Auckland harbour on, over, or under which an existing wastewater asset is constructed or laid.

      (2) Nothing in subsection (1) affects any obligation an Auckland water organisation may have to comply with the Resource Management Act 1991 in relation to an existing wastewater asset (including any liability to pay for the occupation of a coastal marine area under any regulations made under that Act).

      (3) In this section, existing wastewater asset means a wastewater asset held by Watercare Services Limited on 1 November 2010.

    60 Status of Auckland water organisation under Public Works Act 1981
    • For the purposes of the Public Works Act 1981,—

      • (a) an Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority is to be treated as if it were a local authority; and

      • (b) a work authorised under this Part and undertaken by an Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority is to be treated as if it were a local work.

    Auckland water organisation may propose bylaws

    61 Auckland water organisation may propose bylaw
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation may propose to the governing body of the Auckland Council, in writing, that a bylaw relating to the management or supply of water supply or wastewater services be made by the Council under a specified enactment.

      (2) As soon as practicable after receiving a proposal under subsection (1), the governing body of the Auckland Council must decide whether the proposed bylaw meets the following requirements:

      • (a) the proposed bylaw is a bylaw relating to the management or supply of water supply or wastewater services; and

      • (b) the specified enactment under which the proposed bylaw is to be made authorises the making of the bylaw; and

      • (c) the proposed bylaw complies with the applicable statutory requirements of that enactment and any other relevant enactment; and

      • (d) the proposed bylaw is not inconsistent with any strategy, policy, plan, or bylaw of the Council; and

      • (e) the proposed bylaw can be implemented and enforced in a cost-effective manner.

      (3) If the governing body of the Auckland Council decides that a proposed bylaw—

      • (a) meets the requirements of subsection (2), it must give written notice of its decision to the organisation:

      • (b) does not meet the requirements of subsection (2), it must give written notice of its decision (with reasons) to the organisation.

    62 Auckland water organisation must consult on proposed bylaw
    • (1) This section applies if an Auckland water organisation has received notice under section 61(3)(a) from the governing body of the Auckland Council in respect of a bylaw that the organisation has proposed.

      (2) The organisation must confirm the proposed bylaw using the special consultative procedure and, for that purpose, section 156(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 applies, with any necessary modifications, as if the organisation were a local authority and the bylaw were a bylaw being made under that Act.

      (3) If, after acting under subsection (2), the organisation confirms the proposed bylaw, it must give written notice of its decision to the governing body of the Auckland Council and the governing body must adopt the bylaw by resolution.

      (4) If, after acting under subsection (2), the organisation modifies the proposed bylaw, it must give written notice of its decision to the governing body of the Auckland Council and the governing body must,—

      • (a) if satisfied that the proposed bylaw meets the requirements of section 61(2), adopt the bylaw by resolution; or

      • (b) if not satisfied that the proposed bylaw meets the requirements of section 61(2), give notice to the organisation under section 61(3)(b).

      (5) Where the Auckland Council adopts under subsection (3) or (4)(a) a bylaw that is made under the Local Government Act 2002, the requirements of sections 86, 155, and 156 of that Act are deemed to be satisfied in respect of that bylaw.

    Powers of Auckland water organisation

    63 Powers of Auckland water organisation under Local Government Act 1974
    • An Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority has the powers of a council under the following sections of the Local Government Act 1974 in relation to its wastewater services (and those sections apply accordingly, with any necessary modifications):

      • (a) section 451 (diversion, etc, of drainage works):

      • (b) section 459 (council may require owners of land in certain cases to provide private drains):

      • (c) section 460 (construction of private drains through adjoining premises):

      • (d) section 461 (further provisions with respect to private drains):

      • (e) section 462 (council may declare private drain to be public drain):

      • (f) section 467 (unlawful connection of private drain):

      • (g) section 468 (tree roots obstructing public drains).

    64 Powers of Auckland water organisation under Local Government Act 2002
    • An Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority has the powers of a local authority under the following sections of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to its water supply and wastewater services (and those sections apply accordingly, with any necessary modifications):

      • (a) section 171 (general power of entry):

      • (b) section 172 (power of entry for enforcement purposes):

      • (c) section 173 (power of entry in cases of emergency):

      • (d) section 181 (construction of works on private land):

      • (e) section 182 (power of entry to check utility services):

      • (f) section 186 (local authority may execute works if owner or occupier defaults).

    65 Construction of works on roads and public land by Auckland water organisation
    • (1) For the purposes of providing water supply or wastewater services in Auckland, an Auckland water organisation may—

      • (a) construct, place, and maintain water supply and wastewater infrastructure in, on, along, over, across, or under any road or public land; and

      • (b) for the purposes of any work carried out under paragraph (a), open or break up any road or public land; and

      • (c) alter, repair, or remove that infrastructure or any part of that infrastructure.

      (2) However, an Auckland water organisation must exercise the powers under subsection (1) in accordance with any reasonable conditions that the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land imposes.

    66 Notice requirement
    • (1) Except as provided in section 69, before an Auckland water organisation proceeds to open or break up any road or public land, the organisation must give to the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land written notice of the intention to carry out the work.

      (2) Every notice must specify the location of the proposed work, the nature of the work to be carried out, and the reasons for it.

    67 Auckland water organisation to be notified of conditions
    • Not later than 20 working days after receiving written notice of the intention to carry out work, the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land must notify the Auckland water organisation in writing of any conditions imposed under section 65(2).

    68 Failure to notify conditions
    • If the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land fails to notify the Auckland water organisation of any conditions imposed under section 65(2) within the 20-working day period referred to in section 67, those conditions may not be imposed, and the organisation may commence work.

    69 Urgency
    • If work is urgent and necessary because of any defective equipment or other emergency, an Auckland water organisation—

      • (a) is excused from giving notice under section 66(1) before commencing the work; but

      • (b) must give the information required by section 66(2) to the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land as soon as practicable after commencing the work.

    70 Appeals by Auckland water organisation to District Court
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation may appeal to a District Court against all or any of the conditions imposed under section 65(2) by the person who has jurisdiction over the road or land.

      (2) An appeal must be made not later than 45 working days after the date of notification of the conditions imposed or within any further time that the District Court may allow.

      (3) In its determination of any appeal, a District Court may confirm, modify, or cancel any or all of the conditions imposed.

      (4) The decision of a District Court in the determination of an appeal under this section is final.

    71 Council to appoint enforcement officers
    • (1) The Council must appoint persons to be enforcement officers under section 177 of the Local Government Act 2002 for the purposes of ensuring compliance by any person with any exercise of a power conferred on an Auckland water organisation by this Part.

      (2) Before determining the number of persons to appoint as enforcement officers under that section, the Council must consult each Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority to ensure that sufficient officers are appointed to enable those organisations to perform their functions under this Act.

    Nuisances created by Auckland water organisation

    72 Abatement of nuisances created by Auckland water organisation
    • (1) Where any nuisance within the meaning of section 29 of the Health Act 1956 is created by an Auckland water organisation in the exercise of any powers conferred on it by this Act, the Director-General of Health may, by notice in writing to the organisation,—

      • (a) require the organisation to abate the nuisance; and

      • (b) specify the works to be done by the organisation in order to abate the nuisance and the time within which they must be done.

      (2) If the organisation considers the requirements specified in the notice to be unreasonable, impracticable, or unnecessary, it may, within 3 days after service of the notice on it, apply to the District Court for an order setting aside or modifying the notice. Pending the hearing of the application, the notice must be treated as suspended.

      (3) On the hearing of the application, the court, whose decision is final, must determine whether the notice should or should not be set aside or modified and, if the notice is not set aside, the time within which the organisation must comply with the notice or, as the case may be, with the modified notice.

      (4) If the organisation, within the time specified in the notice or, in the case of an application to the court, in the order of the court, fails to comply with the notice or order, the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Act 1956, without further notice to the organisation, may cause the nuisance to be abated and for that purpose may, with such assistance as may be necessary, enter on any land or premises of the organisation and execute or cause to be executed the necessary works.

      (5) All expenses reasonably incurred by the Medical Officer of Health in the abatement of a nuisance under subsection (4) are recoverable from the organisation as a debt due to the Crown.

    Rating of land and assets owned by Auckland water organisation

    73 Rating of land and assets owned by Auckland water organisation
    • (1) Subsection (2) applies to land owned by an Auckland water organisation and used for the purposes of providing water supply or wastewater services within Auckland.

      (2) The total amount of any rates assessed under section 13 or 16 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for the land must not exceed the amount of rates that would otherwise have been assessed if each of the rates had been assessed on the land value only of every rating unit liable for the rates.

      (3) For the purposes of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, a water supply or wastewater services asset that is owned by an Auckland water organisation and is situated in or on any land not owned by the organisation is deemed not to be rateable property.

    Offences and liability for damage

    74 Offence not to comply with any of sections 65, 66, and 69
    • (1) An Auckland water organisation that fails to comply with any of sections 65, 66, and 69 commits an offence.

      (2) An Auckland water organisation that commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

      (3) In addition to any penalty imposed under subsection (2), a court may make any order relating to compensation that it thinks fit.

    75 Offences relating to carrying out work on water supply or wastewater assets of Auckland water organisation without notice
    • (1) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 who wilfully or negligently carries out work on, or in relation to, a water supply or wastewater asset of an Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority without first—

      • (a) notifying the organisation of the intention to carry out the work; and

      • (b) obtaining written authorisation from the organisation (which may include terms or conditions that the organisation thinks fit).

      (2) It is not an offence under subsection (1) if the work concerned—

      • (a) is authorised by a valid consent granted by or under—

        • (i) the Building Act 2004 (including the building code); or

        • (ii) the Resource Management Act 1991; or

      • (b) is carried out in accordance with a valid building, plumbing, or drainage consent.

      (3) It is a defence to an offence under subsection (1) if the work concerned—

      • (a) was necessary to avoid an emergency, or to mitigate or remedy the effects of an emergency; and

      • (b) was carried out by a person appropriately registered to undertake the work.

      (4) A person who commits an offence under this section may, in addition to or instead of the penalty for the offence, be ordered to pay the cost incurred by the Auckland water organisation in repairing the damage done to the water supply or wastewater asset by the offence.

    76 Offences relating to damage to water supply or wastewater assets of Auckland water organisation
    • (1) This section applies in relation to the following works or property that are vested in, or under the control of, an Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority:

      • (a) a protective work; or

      • (b) a water supply or wastewater work; or

      • (c) a water race; or

      • (d) a drainage work; or

      • (e) anything forming part of, or connected with, any water supply or wastewater work or property not referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).

      (2) Every person commits an offence who wilfully destroys, damages, stops, obstructs, or interferes with a work or property and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to both.

      (3) Every person commits an offence who negligently destroys, damages, stops, obstructs, or interferes with a work or property and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

    77 Liability for damage by wilful or negligent behaviour towards water supply or wastewater work
    • A person who wilfully or negligently destroys, damages, stops, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with any water supply or wastewater works or property owned, constructed, acquired, or used by an Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority is liable for, as the case may be,—

      • (a) the amount of the destruction or damage; or

      • (b) the cost incurred by the organisation in removing the stoppage or obstruction; or

      • (c) any loss or expenses incurred by the organisation because of the stoppage, obstruction, or interference.

    Council must consult other Auckland water organisations when assessing water and other sanitary services

    78 Council must consult other Auckland water organisations when assessing water and other sanitary services
    • (1) Subsection (2) applies to the Council when carrying out its duty under section 125 of the Local Government Act 2002 to assess the provision within Auckland of water and other sanitary services.

      (2) In addition to acting under section 128 of that Act, the Council must consult each Auckland water organisation that is not a local authority in making its assessment.

    Part 6
    Spatial planning for Auckland

    79 Spatial plan for Auckland
    • (1) The Auckland Council must prepare and adopt a spatial plan for Auckland.

      (2) The purpose of the spatial plan is to contribute to Auckland's social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being through a comprehensive and effective long-term (20- to 30-year) strategy for Auckland's growth and development.

      (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the spatial plan will—

      • (a) set a strategic direction for Auckland and its communities that integrates social, economic, environmental, and cultural objectives; and

      • (b) outline a high-level development strategy that will achieve that direction and those objectives; and

      • (c) enable coherent and co-ordinated decision making by the Auckland Council (as the spatial planning agency) and other parties to determine the future location and timing of critical infrastructure, services, and investment within Auckland in accordance with the strategy; and

      • (d) provide a basis for aligning the implementation plans, regulatory plans, and funding programmes of the Auckland Council.

      (4) The spatial plan must—

      • (a) recognise and describe Auckland's role in New Zealand; and

      • (b) visually illustrate how Auckland may develop in the future, including how growth may be sequenced and how infrastructure may be provided; and

      • (c) provide an evidential base to support decision making for Auckland, including evidence of trends, opportunities, and constraints within Auckland; and

      • (d) identify the existing and future location and mix of—

        • (i) residential, business, rural production, and industrial activities within specific geographic areas within Auckland; and

        • (ii) critical infrastructure, services, and investment within Auckland (including, for example, services relating to cultural and social infrastructure, transport, open space, water supply, wastewater, and stormwater, and services managed by network utility operators); and

      • (e) identify nationally and regionally significant—

        • (i) recreational areas and open-space areas within Auckland; and

        • (ii) ecological areas within Auckland that should be protected from development; and

        • (iii) environmental constraints on development within Auckland (for example, flood-prone or unstable land); and

        • (iv) landscapes, areas of historic heritage value, and natural features within Auckland; and

      • (f) identify policies, priorities, land allocations, and programmes and investments to implement the strategic direction and specify how resources will be provided to implement the strategic direction.

    80 Development, adoption, and implementation of spatial plan
    • (1) The Auckland Council must involve central government, infrastructure providers (including network utility operators), the communities of Auckland, the private sector, the rural sector, and other parties (as appropriate) throughout the preparation and development of the spatial plan.

      (2) The Auckland Council must adopt the spatial plan in accordance with the special consultative procedure.

      (3) The Auckland Council may amend the spatial plan, at any time, in accordance with subsections (1) and (2).

      (4) The Auckland Council must—

      • (a) make the spatial plan (including any amendments) available for inspection during working hours, free of charge, at—

        • (i) the office of the Auckland Council; and

        • (ii) any other places in Auckland that the Auckland Council, at its discretion, decides are appropriate; and

      • (b) make copies of the plan available, free of charge or for purchase at a reasonable price, from—

        • (i) the office of the Auckland Council; and

        • (ii) any other places in Auckland that the Auckland Council, at its discretion, decides are appropriate; and

      • (c) make copies of the plan available, free of charge, on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Auckland Council.

      (5) The Auckland Council must endeavour to secure and maintain the support and co-operation of central government, infrastructure providers (including network utility operators), the communities of Auckland, the private sector, the rural sector, and other parties (as appropriate) in the implementation of the spatial plan.

    Part 7
    Board promoting issues of significance for mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau

    81 Establishment and purpose of board
    • This Part establishes a board whose purpose is to assist the Auckland Council to make decisions, perform functions, and exercise powers by—

      • (a) promoting cultural, economic, environmental, and social issues of significance for—

        • (i) mana whenua groups; and

        • (ii) mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau; and

      • (b) ensuring that the Council acts in accordance with statutory provisions referring to the Treaty of Waitangi.

    82 Board independent
    • (1) The board is a body corporate separate from—

      • (a) the Auckland Council; and

      • (b) the board's members; and

      • (c) the selection body; and

      • (d) the mana whenua groups represented on the selection body.

      (2) The board is independent of—

      • (a) the Auckland Council; and

      • (b) the mana whenua groups represented on the selection body.

      (3) The board is not required to accept direction from any person.

      (4) When members of the board are acting as members of the board, they must act in the interest of achieving the board's purpose and must not act in any other interest.

    83 Board's name
    • (1) The board may choose to name itself.

      (2) If the board names itself, it may change its name at any time.

      (3) If the board names itself, or changes its name, it must tell the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Auckland Council the name or the new name as soon as practicable.

    84 Board's general functions
    • (1) The board's general functions are—

      • (a) to act in accordance with its purpose and functions and to ensure that it does not contravene the purpose for which it was established:

      • (b) to develop a schedule of issues of significance to mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau, and give a priority to each issue, to guide the board in carrying out its purpose:

      • (c) to keep the schedule up to date:

      • (d) to advise the Auckland Council on matters affecting mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau:

      • (e) to work with the Auckland Council on the design and execution of documents and processes to implement the Council's statutory responsibilities towards mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau.

      (2) The board and the Council must meet at least 4 times in each financial year to discuss the board's performance of its functions.

    85 Board's specific functions
    • (1) The board must appoint a maximum of 2 persons to sit as members on each of the Auckland Council's committees that deal with the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources.

      (2) If the Auckland Council asks the board to appoint a person or persons to sit as members on any other of the Council's committees, the board may do so.

      (3) The board must,—

      • (a) before making the appointments, seek the views of the Auckland Council as to the skills and experience that the Council would like the appointees to have; and

      • (b) when making the appointments, take the views of the Auckland Council into account.

      (4) The board must consider a request by the Auckland Council that the board accept the delegation of a function by the Council.

      (5) The board must act in accordance with a delegation that it has accepted.

    86 Board's powers
    • (1) The board may consult any person who the board considers is likely to help the board in carrying out its purpose.

      (2) The board may establish the committees it considers necessary to enable it to carry out its purpose.

      (3) The board may seek the advice it requires to enable it to carry out its purpose.

      (4) The board has any other powers that it needs to carry out its purpose and that are consistent with this Part.

    87 Auckland Council information provided to board
    • (1) The board may not exercise its powers in section 86 if doing so would disclose information that—

      • (a) is known to the board because the Auckland Council provided it to the board; and

      • (b) is information that the Auckland Council would consider withholding under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 or the Privacy Act 1993 if the Council received a request for it.

      (2) When the board is deciding whether subsection (1)(b) applies to information that the Council provided to the board, it must make its decision on reasonable grounds.

      (3) When the Auckland Council decides that subsection (1)(b) applies to information that the Council provided to the board, it must tell the board of its decision and the reasons for its decision.

    88 Auckland Council's duties to board
    • (1) The Auckland Council must—

      • (a) provide the board with the information that the board needs to identify business of the Council that relates to the board's purpose:

      • (b) consult the board on matters affecting mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau:

      • (c) take into account the board's advice on ensuring that the input of mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau is reflected in the Council's strategies, policies, and plans:

      • (d) take into account the board's advice on other matters:

      • (e) make an agreement under clause 20 of Schedule 2 every year to provide the board with the funding it needs to carry out its purpose:

      • (f) work with the board on the design and execution of documents and processes that relate to seeking the input of mana whenua groups and mataawaka of Tamaki Makaurau.

      (2) The Council's duties under this section do not relieve it of any duties it has under any other enactment to consult Māori.

      (3) The Council and the board must meet at least 4 times in each financial year to discuss the Council's performance of its duties.

    89 Schedule 2 applies to board
    • Schedule 2 applies to the board.

    Part 8
    Miscellaneous

    Substantive council-controlled organisations

    90 Council must have accountability policy for substantive council-controlled organisations
    • (1) The Council must adopt (using the special consultative procedure) a policy on the accountability of its substantive council-controlled organisations.

      (2) The policy must—

      • (a) include a statement of the Council's expectations in respect of each substantive council-controlled organisation's contributions to, and alignment with, the Council's objectives and priorities:

      • (b) include a statement of the Council's expectations in respect of each substantive council-controlled organisation's contributions to, and alignment with, any relevant objectives and priorities of central government:

      • (c) specify any reporting requirements that each substantive council-controlled organisation must undertake in addition to those required under Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 or this Act:

      • (d) specify any planning requirements that each substantive council-controlled organisation must undertake in addition to those required under Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 or this Act:

      • (e) identify or define any strategic assets in relation to each substantive council-controlled organisation and set out any requirements in relation to the organisation's management of those assets, including the process by which the organisation may approve major transactions in relation to them.

      (3) A policy under this section—

      • (a) may be adopted by the Council as part of its LTCCP:

      • (b) must be included in the Council's LTCCP:

      • (c) may be amended only as an amendment to the LTCCP.

    91 Council may impose additional accountability requirements on substantive council-controlled organisations
    • (1) The Council may require a substantive council-controlled organisation to—

      • (a) include in its statement of intent a narrative on how the organisation will contribute to the Council's and, where appropriate, the Government's objectives and priorities for Auckland:

      • (b) deliver, no later than 1 month after the end of the first and third quarter of each financial year, a report on the organisation's operations during each quarter that includes the information required to be included by its statement of intent:

      • (c) prepare and adopt a plan covering a period of at least 10 years that describes how the organisation intends to—

        • (i) manage, maintain, and invest in its assets; and

        • (ii) maintain or improve service levels; and

        • (iii) respond to population growth and other changing environmental factors; and

        • (iv) give effect to the Council's strategy, plans, and priorities:

      • (d) comply with any specified requirements for the management of the assets of the organisation identified by the Council as strategic assets and processes for the approval of major transactions in relation to them.

      (2) The Council may not require Auckland Transport to prepare and adopt a plan under subsection (1)(c).

      (3) This section does not limit or affect the application of Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 to a substantive council-controlled organisation.

    92 Substantive council-controlled organisations must give effect to LTCCP and act consistently with other specified plans and strategies of Council
    • (1) Each substantive council-controlled organisation must give effect to the relevant aspects of the LTCCP.

      (2) Each substantive council-controlled organisation must act consistently with the relevant aspects of any other plan (including a local board plan) or strategy of the Council to the extent specified in writing by the governing body of the Council.

    93 Councillors and local board members prohibited from appointment as directors of substantive council-controlled organisations
    • (1) The Council must not appoint a person to be a director of a substantive council-controlled organisation if the person is, at the time of the appointment,—

      • (a) a member of the governing body of the Council; or

      • (b) a member of a local board.

      (2) Section 43(2)(a) prevails over this section.

    94 Director of substantive council-controlled organisation elected to Council or local board must resign before taking up position
    • A director of a substantive council-controlled organisation who is elected to be a member of the governing body of the Council or a local board must resign from his or her position as a director of the council-controlled organisation before taking up his or her position as a member of the governing body of the Council or the local board.

    95 Council may appoint chairperson and deputy chairperson of substantive council-controlled organisation
    • (1) The Council may appoint the chairperson and deputy chairperson of each substantive council-controlled organisation.

      (2) However, the Council must not appoint a member of its governing body as the chairperson or deputy chairperson of Auckland Transport.

      (3) This section prevails over any provision to the contrary in an organisation's constitution.

    Council-controlled organisations must hold specified meetings in public

    96 Council-controlled organisations must hold specified meetings in public
    • (1) The board of each council-controlled organisation of the Auckland Council must nominate, in its statement of intent for each financial year, 2 of its meetings during that year to be open to members of the public.

      (2) For the purpose of subsection (1),—

      • (a) 1 meeting must be held before 30 June each year for the purpose of considering comments from shareholders on the organisation's draft statement of intent for the following financial year; and

      • (b) the other meeting must be held after 1 July each year for the purpose of considering the organisation's performance under its statement of intent in the previous financial year.

      (3) The statement of intent must also specify how the meetings will be publicly notified (for example, by notice in 1 or more newspapers).

      (4) In respect of each meeting held in accordance with this section, the board must allocate a reasonable amount of time for members of the public attending the meeting to address the board in relation to the subject matter of the meeting.

      (5) Meetings held pursuant to this section shall be subject to the rules and requirements that normally apply to the meetings of the board of the council-controlled organisation (including, for example, under its constitution), provided that this section prevails in the event of any conflict between this section and the rules and requirements that normally apply to meetings of the board.

    Disputes between local boards and governing body

    97 Disputes about allocation of decision-making responsibilities or proposed bylaws
    • (1) Subsection (2) applies if—

      • (a) 1 or more local boards are dissatisfied with a decision of the governing body under section 17(1); or

      • (b) a local board is dissatisfied with a decision of the governing body under section 24(3)(b) or 27(3)(b).

      (2) The local board or boards concerned and the governing body must make reasonable efforts to reach a mutually acceptable and timely resolution of the dispute, having regard to—

      • (a) the requirements of this Act; and

      • (b) the current and future well-being of the communities of Auckland, and the interests and preferences of the communities within each affected local board area.

      (3) If, after acting under subsection (2), the dispute is still unresolved, the local board or boards may apply, in writing, to the Local Government Commission for a binding determination on the matter.

      (4) An application must be accompanied by copies of all reports, correspondence, and other information held by the local board or boards that are relevant to the matter.

    98 Local Government Commission to determine disputes
    • (1) Promptly after receiving an application under section 97(3), the Local Government Commission must notify the mayor and the chief executive of the application and request them to provide, within 7 days, copies of all reports, correspondence, and other information held by them that is relevant to the matter.

      (2) After receiving the information from the mayor and the chief executive, the Commission must—

      • (a) consider the information it has received from them, and from the local board or boards concerned under section 97(4); and

      • (b) determine the matter, having regard to—

        • (i) the requirements of this Act; and

        • (ii) the current and future well-being of the communities of Auckland, and the interests and preferences of the communities within each affected local board area; and

        • (iii) any other matter that the Commission considers on reasonable grounds to be relevant.

      (3) For the purposes of making a determination, the Commission—

      • (a) must treat the matter as urgent; and

      • (b) may make any inquiries that it considers appropriate; and

      • (c) may (but is not obliged to) hold meetings with the local board or boards, the governing body, or any other person.

      (4) The Commission may apportion the actual and reasonable costs incurred by it in making a determination between the local board or boards and the governing body as it thinks fit, having regard to the merits of the initial positions of the board or boards and the governing body.

      (5) Any costs apportioned to a local board under subsection (4) must be paid from the local board's budget.

      (6) Subsection (7) applies if—

      • (a) the Commission is required to determine a matter that relates to the content of an adopted LTCCP; and

      • (b) the Commission determines that the LTCCP should be amended.

      (7) The Council must amend the LTCCP to the extent necessary to give effect to the determination and may do so without further authority than this section.

    99 Local Government Commission may delegate duty to determine dispute
    • (1) The Local Government Commission may, in writing, either generally or in a specific instance, delegate its function under section 98 to a committee of the Commission or a member of the Commission.

      (2) A committee or member to whom a function is delegated under this section may carry out the function in the same manner and with the same effect as if the function had been conferred directly by this Act and not by delegation.

      (3) Subsection (2) applies subject to any direction given or condition imposed by the Commission.

    Development contributions

    100 Development contributions for transport infrastructure
    • (1) The Council may include in a policy under section 106 of the Local Government Act 2002 a requirement for development contributions to fund the Council’s contribution to the total cost of capital expenditure by Auckland Transport.

      (2) Subsection (1) applies only if the capital expenditure is capital expenditure that could be funded by development contributions if it were incurred by the Council itself.

      (3) The Council may include the requirement as if—

      • (a) the total cost of the contribution provided by the Council were the total cost of the capital expenditure; and

      • (b) the capital expenditure were to be undertaken by the Council.

      (4) Subpart 5 of Part 8 of the Local Government Act 2002 applies, with any necessary modifications, to development contributions authorised by subsection (1).

      (5) This section applies despite anything to the contrary in the Local Government Act 2002.

    101 Development contributions for assets managed by other parties
    • (1) The powers of the Council to require development contributions under subpart 5 of Part 8 of the Local Government Act 2002 are not affected by any arrangements it has for another person or organisation to manage—

      • (a) reserves:

      • (b) network infrastructure:

      • (c) community infrastructure.

      (2) This section is for the avoidance of doubt.

    Prohibition on establishment of community boards

    102 Prohibition on establishment of community boards
    • Despite section 49 of the Local Government Act 2002, no community board may be established for any community within Auckland.

    Review of representation arrangements

    103 Review of representation arrangements under Local Electoral Act 2001
    • (1) For the purposes of section 19H(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, the Council must make—

      • (a) its first determination no earlier than after the completion of the 2013 triennial general elections but no later than 8 September 2018; and

      • (b) subsequent determinations at least once in every period of 6 years after that first determination.

      (2) However, if Auckland is required to be divided into 1 or more Māori wards for the purposes of the 2013 triennial general elections, the Council must make its first determination no later than 8 September 2012 and subsequent determinations at least once in every period of 6 years after that first determination.

      (3) For the purposes of any review, the Local Electoral Act 2001 applies with any necessary modifications and as if the following paragraphs were added to section 19H(1) of that Act:

      • “‘(e) whether a local board area should be subdivided for electoral purposes or, as the case may be, whether it should continue to be subdivided for electoral purposes; and

      • “‘(f) whether the boundaries of any subdivision of a local board area should be altered; and

      • “‘(g) the number of members of any local board; and

      • “‘(h) the name of any local board; and

      • “‘(i) if a local board area is to be subdivided or continue to be subdivided,—

        • “‘(i) the proposed name and the proposed boundaries of each subdivision; and

        • “‘(ii) the number of members proposed to be elected by the electors of each subdivision.

    Auditor-General to review Council's service performance

    104 Auditor-General to review Council's service performance
    • (1) The Auditor-General must, from time to time, review the service performance of the Council and each of its council-controlled organisations.

      (2) Part 4 of the Public Audit Act 2001 applies to a review.

      (3) The Auditor-General may charge the Council for undertaking a review under this section and, for that purpose, section 42(2) to (5) of the Public Audit Act 2001 applies with any necessary modifications.

      (4) Nothing in this section limits or affects the powers of the Auditor-General under the Public Audit Act 2001.

    Council employee elected to local board must resign before taking up position

    105 Council employee elected to local board must resign before taking up position
    • An employee of the Council who is elected to be a member of a local board must resign from his or her position as an employee of the Council before taking up his or her position as a member of the local board.

    Representation on port company board

    106 Representation on port company board
    • For the purposes of section 6(1)(b) of the Port Companies Act 1988, any council-controlled organisation of the Auckland Council that holds equity securities in a port company (within the meaning of that Act) must be treated as if it were a regional council.