KEY POINTS:
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland needs to look at the role of the region's water wholesaler, Watercare, the best way to use the port, and civic interests on the waterfront, says National leader John Key.
It needed to take into account the findings of the inquiry into rates, which last week made 96 recommendations to the Government.
In a response to Local Government Minister Mark Burton on input into the terms of reference, Mr Key said the commission also needed to consider the wider issues between central and local government, including the role of Transit, Land Transport New Zealand and processes under the Resource Management Act.
The Government is drawing up terms of reference and membership for the commission to thrash out the future of Auckland governance after local councils failed to impress Prime Minister Helen Clark with their ideas.
Mr Key said the terms of reference needed to be sufficiently wide to allow the commission to make recommendations the Government could act on.
The commission is due to report back at the end of next year, by which time National could be in charge of the Treasury benches.
Mr Key reiterated he was not convinced about the push by business leaders for a single supercity, saying it was important from the outset that a "one-size-fits-all approach" would not always work.
The focus must be on good service to residents, value for money for ratepayers and protecting the democratic interests of Aucklanders.
Mr Key told Mr Burton it would be unwise to decide the membership of the commission before the terms of reference had been set.
Last week, he said former National Party leader Jim McLay should sit on the commission.
The Government has not said when the terms of reference or membership of the commission would be finalised.
