Mayors across the South Island say they will put up a united front to fight the economic pulling power of the emerging Auckland super city.
Southern mayors would speak with one voice so as not to be drowned out by the huge new Auckland Council, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told the Otago Daily Times.
A meeting of South Island mayors, to discuss forming a new South Island-wide mayoral forum to represent the island's interests in Wellington, was also a priority for early next year, Mr Parker said.
Former Auckland mayor and new super city councillor Christine Fletcher told the New Zealand Herald the move was short-sighted.
“It would be foolish to ignore the fact that so many New Zealanders live in Auckland. To neglect the needs of these New Zealanders would not make good business sense,” she said.
“It’s important for the rest of New Zealand that Auckland succeeds. It’s for everyone’s advantage.”
Mayors from Waitaki, Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Clutha and central Otago mayors voiced support for the idea.
The Auckland Council will come into existence on November 1, replacing eight councils with one unitary body representing 1.3 million people.
NZPA / 3 News