Key wants taskforce plan put to the vote

John Key

A potential cut in the number of councils in the Auckland region would be put to a referendum under a new member's bill promoted by National's John Key.

The Helensville MP will today put into the Parliamentary ballot a bill which would establish a taskforce to come up with a proposal to reform local government in the Auckland region.

The proposal would then be put to a referendum during local body elections next year.

Mr Key's move comes as Auckland's four big-city mayors meet Prime Minister Helen Clark today to present a proposed new structure for local government.

The plan has been kept under wraps and some local government players are upset at being left out of the talks.

Mr Key said yesterday he favoured fewer councils in the greater Auckland area.

However, he suggested that the way that current talks were being handled was not ideal.

"One of the flaws I see at the moment is that you've got some councils excluded, while others are included," he said.

"That is creating deep suspicion."

Asked how he would expect a taskforce of 15 people to agree on a proposal, Mr Key said that if ultimately it failed to agree or to get public support "then it tells you that it's simply not strong enough to sell to the people of Auckland".

Mr Key added, however, that a lot of the groundwork had been done for the taskforce.

"In the end I believe there will be resolution".

Under the bill - which still needs to be drawn in the ballot - the taskforce would be made up of a chairperson appointed by the Minister of Local Government in consultation with the Opposition leader.

There would also be a representative from each of the Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Papakura, Franklin and Auckland Regional councils.

Up to six additional members could also be appointed.

It would report by July 31 next year.