Auckland Supercity structure unveiled

JOHN SELKIRK/Stuff.co.nz

SUPERCITY PLAN: Local Government Commission chair Sue Piper said the structure gave a ratio of one councillor for every 53,500 - 88,000 people.

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Auckland will be ruled by 146 politicians - more than there currently are in Parliament - under the new Supercity structure, it was revealed today.

The Local Government Commission this morning released its proposals on the local boards, council wards and city boundaries for the super city which will take over from the region's eight current councils in November next year.

In yet another raft of changes and refinements to the plans for the mega amalgamation the commission has:

* Made a change to the southern boundary, now bringing Pukekohe and Waiuku into super Auckland

* Decided on 19 local boards with a total of 126 members

* Ruled that the single super council should have 12 wards with a total of 20 councillors

Local Government Commission chair Sue Piper (an ex-Wellington City councillor) said their proposals "represent the best balance between effective representation of communities of interest and fair representation for electors."

Of the 12 city wards, eight will be represented by two councillors and four will have just a single councillor, making a total of 20 councillors. Over them will be the one 'super' mayor.

Ms Piper said that gave a ratio of one councillor for every 53,500 - 88,000 people.

Of the 19 local boards, sizes will vary from five to nine board members.

- © Fairfax NZ News