A petition presented to MPs at Parliament today shows 6000 North Rodney residents oppose their inclusion in the Auckland supercity.
Petitioners claim on considering the legislation the select committed had listened to residents and recommended the region be able to form its own council. They say Cabinet reversed this after lobbying.
Residents are now asking the Government to allow them to form their own council – opting out of the supercity.
The region tended to orientate toward the north, and not south toward Auckland. The number of people who signed the petition showed strong support for a separate council.
Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller was there to support Rodney residents, when the petition was presented to National MPs Lockwood Smith and John Carter, and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.
Mr Tiller says it would make more sense for Rodney and Kaipara to create a new council.
Acknowledging the strength of feeling, Mp for Rodney Dr Smith said it was an unresolved issue.
Mr Hide said he supported the Royal Commission’s recommendation that the area be part of the Auckland Council.
He said it was now up to the select committee to consider the issue, adding that if the Government was persuaded, new legislation would be required to separate the region.
3 News