Slim majority against merger

A narrow majority opposes the creation of a Super City in Auckland, according to a survey by the Business Council for Sustainable Development.

The council's ShapeNZ survey of 2164 people found 31 per cent of respondents opposed the Super City, against with 27 per cent in support. Another 31 per cent were neutral and 8 per cent did not know.

Within Auckland, people in six of the seven territorial councils opposed the Super City. Only in Auckland City was there backing at 45 per cent support and 25 per cent opposition.

Two-thirds of people also believed Aucklanders had not been adequately consulted and 70 per cent of believed the matter should be voted on in a referendum.

Forty-eight per cent of those polled opposed to having Maori seats on the Auckland Council, and 35 per cent were in favour.

Asked if the Super City model should be used to amalgamate councils into bigger entities throughout New Zealand, 48 per cent were opposed and 22 per cent were in favour.

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said the survey sent the message to Auckland MPs that communities were unconvinced.

Labour's Auckland issues spokesman, Phil Twyford, said reform was needed, but the Government's rushed and ill-considered response to the report of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance and its failure to consult properly had alienated people.

The survey was conducted between May 28 and June 3. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 per cent.

FOR AND AGAINST

Aucklanders' views on the Super City

Auckland City
Support: 45 per cent
Oppose: 25 per cent

Manukau
Support: 35 per cent
Oppose: 45 per cent

Waitakere
Support: 22 per cent
Oppose: 59 per cent

North Shore
Support: 34 per cent
Oppose: 47 per cent

Rodney
Support: 17 per cent
Oppose: 63 per cent

Franklin
Support: 35 per cent
Oppose: 46 per cent

Papakura
Support: 18 per cent
Oppose: 45 per cent