Ngā whakawā mo nga papa rēhia me ngā papa tāpui Hearings for parks and reserves

Some proposals for local or regional parks and reserves require a hearing  A council hearing is an opportunity for the public to present their views on a topic that may affect them. under the Local Government Act and the Reserves Act.

These include proposals for:

• reserve management plans
• local parks management plans
• plans to buy or sell parks or reserves land
• leases or licences to occupy parks or reserves land
• parks or reserves land exchanges.

Depending on the proposal, we may first ask for community feedback through a public consultation A process where members of the public are invited to provide input, feedback and opinions on specific issues or proposed policies. . We do this to give those affected the chance to have their say.

We will then hold a hearing if it is required, or if we feel it is necessary. This can depend on the nature of the feedback received and the decision being made.

Some proposals require a hearing under legislation. Other times we hold a hearing because it is the right thing to do, even though it is not a legal requirement.

Not all proposals need a hearing.

When we take the proposal to a hearing, we set up a panel to:

• listen to and consider feedback about the proposal
• make a decision or recommendation.

The hearings panel is made up of:

• elected members
• Houkura (formerly known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board) members
• decision-makers from a group of independent commissioners An independent commissioner is a person who oversees a hearing and has no connections to the involved parties. They ensure decisions are fair and neutral. .

To share your views about a park or reserve proposal you can make a submission  Making a submission is a way people can express their views, opinions and suggestions on proposed changes, and influence the decisions being made. Anyone can make a submission, from individuals to community groups and organisations. on the consultation feedback form on the AK Have Your Say website.

If the proposal goes to a hearing, we will send everyone who submits feedback a notification letter. This letter will include the hearing:

• time
• date
• venue.

You must respond to the notification letter or email if you want to speak at a park or reserve hearing.

The hearing will be held at a council venue and the public can attend.

If you make a submission after the consultation closing date, the panel might ask you to explain why they should accept your late submission.

If the panel accepts your reasons, you can speak in support of your submission at the hearing.

At the hearing the chairperson will:

• introduce the panel and council staff
• explain how the hearing will proceed.

If you requested to speak at the hearing, you will be called to speak in the order that appears on the hearing schedule.

Members of the hearing panel might ask you questions about your submission while you speak at the hearing.

Once everyone has spoken, the chairperson will ask council officers if they have any closing comments.

The hearing will then close and the panel will consider the feedback in private.

The panel will then either:

• make a decision - depending on the authority they have been given, or
• make a recommendation to the Governing Body, committee, or local board about the proposal.

We will send a copy of the decision or recommendation to everyone who made a submission.

We will also publish the final proposal or decision on our website. Visit Find a park or reserve hearing for:

• all documents related to past park or reserve hearings including final proposals and decisions
• schedules of upcoming and past park or reserve hearings.

For all other types of hearings, visit Find a hearing.

Visit Topics you can have your say on to have your say on proposals for Auckland that interest you.