No to supercity moves 'blatant disregard'

Papakura's bid to stand alone as a council outside the Auckland supercity has been squashed.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has rejected bids by Papakura and Franklin district councils to become unitary authorities.

In a letter to Papakura District Council Mr Hide says he's confident the Auckland supercity re-organisation he has set in motion will deliver "strong, effective and democratic local representation" for the people of Papakura.

His letter directed the council to the Local Government Commission should it wish to continue with its bid.

"It would be inappropriate for me to take a position on any process commenced by Papakura district to
become a unitary authority."

The Franklin District Council received a similar response in a letter dated January 15.

In it Mr Hide says amalgamating eight councils into one will strengthen the region's governance and
result in cost savings for ratepayers and tangible benefits to Auckland's communities.

"I will not therefore be initiating any other reorganisation proposal for councils with the Auckland region while this governance work is under way."

Franklin mayor Mark Ball says he's "extremely disappointed by the minister's blatant disregard of the wishes of the vast majority of people in Franklin".

"It is an absolute travesty of democracy that the minister has rejected our application."

- © Fairfax NZ News