Rodney boundary to stay as is

John Key. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Government has bowed to local pressure and decided not to change the Rodney District boundary under the legislation that sets up the new Auckland City Council.

It is staying with the decision to split Franklin District on the new council's southern boundary.

"Auckland does have to end somewhere, I think we've struck a good balance," Prime Minister John Key said today.

"We've heard from a large number of locals and the majority view has been very clear - don't split the Rodney District.

"We've listened, and we've acted."

Mr Key said a lot of thought had gone into the southern boundary, which is also concerning local residents, and believed splitting Franklin made sense.

"The entire Waikato river catchment area will be within the Waikato region. It avoids bureaucratic confusion," he said.

The special select committee that heard submissions on the legislation decided to split both the districts, and recommended that to the Government.

Ministers initially agreed, but have now changed their minds about the northern boundary.

Mr Key said the select committee did not hear enough submissions to get "the true flavour" of local opinion.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said boundaries were always contentious and every proposal was likely to divide opinion.

"I am confident that the decisions we have made today are in the best interests of the Auckland region and also in line with the views of the majority of people in the region," he said.

- NZPA