Kaipara leaders get in behind merger move by North Rodney

7th March 2010

Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller and chief executive Jack McKerchar have told a select committee they support North Rodney's bid to be absorbed into Kaipara rather than the Auckland Super City.

The pair spoke before the select committee hearing on the Auckland Super City Boundaries in Wellington  yesterday.

A council spokesperson said Kaipara wanted      the entire  Kaipara Harbour to come under  one authority.

This option would appear to be supported by the 2002 Local Government Act which suggests the boundaries of a region should be set where practicable to conform with natural catchments.

Kaipara would also speak in support of North Rodney being excluded from the Super City and included with Kaipara to form a new enlarged council.

If no boundary changes to the Super City were to be made by the select committee, Kaipara would prefer the status quo - as a unitary authority.

The official said Kaipara did not see any benefits from the proposed options specified in the McKinlay Douglas report.

The report, commissioned by the three Northland district councils for  about $80,000 - but boycotted by the Northland Regional Council - has recommended the four councils be rationalised into either one or two unitary authorities.

On Wednesday, Kaipara District councillors unanimously rejected the findings, saying the options presented no benefit for Kaipara's community, its infrastructure, the well-being of the district as a whole or the protection of its natural assets.

Yesterday, was the final day of hearings for the Local Government Bill.