Super-city plan divides councillors

One super city for Auckland is back on the agenda, but the issue is already dividing Auckland City councillors who voted yesterday to start work on the biggest political shake-up since local body amalgamation in 1989.

Councillor and former Labour MP Richard Northey succeeded in passing a resolution for the region's largest and most powerful council to work and advocate for one council covering the entire Auckland metropolitan area or, preferably, the entire Auckland region from Pukekohe to Wellsford.

Mr Northey said Aucklanders were becoming increasingly frustrated at the disunity and battles to get funding for regional facilities such as the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

It was absurd that Auckland City ratepayers on Great Barrier Island paid towards an orchestra that people who lived across the harbour bridge contributed nothing towards.

Councillor Richard Simpson said the current set-up of city boundaries was ridiculous for dealing with issues such as congestion that took no notice of boundaries: "It is time for change."

Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker opposed the idea, saying it would concentrate power in a few hands, reduce democratic access and alter the character of the different cities, districts and communities.

Instead of a "revolutionary" approach, he suggested an "evolutionary" tack by moving towards three cities first.

The idea has been mooted before without success.