Rebel says he favours at-large councillors

North Shore city councillor Kevin Schwass has broken ranks with his council by supporting at-large councillors on the Super Auckland Council.

Mr Schwass yesterday said the Government had got it about right with eight at-large councillors and 12 ward councillors.

"At-large councillors will need to focus on the wider needs of the region and treat Auckland as one entity. I see the scenario of having 20 ward councillors being no different to the situation that currently exists with each councillor fighting and protective of their piece of turf."

Mr Schwass was addressing the Auckland governance legislation committee, which is hearing submissions on the Government's plan for a single, Super City council.

The majority of submissions oppose plans for at-large councillors, mainly on the grounds that they will be captured by political blocs and those who can afford citywide campaigns.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams told the committee on Monday that the council strongly believed all councillors on the Auckland Council should be elected on a ward basis.

That would give communities a voice and someone to hold to account, he said. To a question from Act MP John Boscawen about managing 12 wards of 100,000-plus people each, Mr Schwass said ward councillors would need to be full-time jobs with an office and secretary.

Murrays Bay resident Nick Kearney also bucked the trend: "There is clear evidence that ward-based election to council offers good service for the ward residents. But this is an Auckland Council serving the Auckland region as a whole. There must be some elected at-large councillors."

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance proposed 10 elected at-large and 10 ward seats, saying a mix would ensure the right balance of regional and local perspectives. It also recommended three Maori seats.

The introduction of at-large councillors will mean residents will vote for the mayor of the Auckland council, a local ward councillor, eight at-large councillors and between four and nine local board members.

Today's hearings, at the Waitakere Trusts Stadium, Henderson, begin at 9am and close at 9pm.