Marathon task for MPs on Super City committee

A parliamentary select committee will sit from 9am to 9pm for nearly four weeks listening to the views of nearly 800 ratepayers, organisations and councils on the Government's Super City plan for Auckland.

MPs on the Auckland governance legislation committee will begin the marathon weekday hearings in Auckland City on Monday before travelling round the region.

A subcommittee of four MPs will travel to marae to hear submissions on Maori issues and three MPs will travel to Great Barrier Island.

The full committee will also spend a day on Waiheke Island.

Committee chairman and Associate Local Government Minister John Carter said the Government had received nearly 2500 submissions, including 1000 pro forma submissions, on a bill setting out the broad outline of a new local government structure for Auckland.

Under the plan, the region's eight councils will be abolished next year and a single territorial authority, to be known as the Auckland Council, will be created for 1.4 million Aucklanders.

Underneath the Auckland Council will be 20 to 30 "local boards".

Mr Carter said nearly 800 groups and individuals wanted to be heard. The committee was giving 45 minutes to councils, 15 minutes to organisations and people with expertise and five to 10 minutes to everyone else.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry on Auckland Governance was in Auckland in May and June last year listening to more than 550 ratepayers, interested parties and councils.

In April, the Government adopted the commission's recommendations for a single super council and one elected mayor for Auckland, but rejected a recommendation for six councils under the super council.

Instead, the Government has opted for 20 to 30 local boards with limited functions and powers.

Prime Minister John Key and ministers have indicated a willingness to beef up the functions and powers of local boards.

Representation issues are another concern. The Government plans to have 12 councillors elected from wards and eight elected at large on the Auckland Council. There are fears that electing councillors at large will favour political blocs and the rich and famous who can afford citywide campaigns.

Many submissions want all 20 councillors to be elected from wards,.

The Government rejected a commission recommendation proposing three Maori seats, much to the anger of its Maori Party coalition partner.

Mr Carter said a subcommittee of Tau Henare, Simon Bridges, Hone Harawira and Shane Jones would hear submissions on Maori issues.

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill is to be reported back to Parliament on September 4 and passed into law by September 24.

Another bill detailing the structure, functions, roles and powers of the Super City, is to be introduced in October or November and come into force in April next year.