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Auckland mayors meet to discuss the super-city proposal - Source: ONE News -
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Two influential groups have thrown down challenges to the government over the planned super-city for Auckland.
The region's mayors have put aside personal differences in their quest for answers while local Maori plan to take their protest to the streets.
Having been denied seats as of right on Auckland's proposed new super-council, Ngati Whatua and Tainui plan to protest on the day that commemorates the end of the historic occupation of Bastion Point.
Across town, the mayors were also searching for a common voice after a public airing of deep divisions between Auckland Mayor John Banks and his North Shore counterpart Andrew Williams.
"We hope today he might engage in some dialogue with us...stop calling us a dog's breakfast...stop calling us seagulls crowing from the provinces...and let us have some constructive discussion," Williams said.
And after two hours behind closed doors and a spot of lunch, the signs were looking good.
"A very good value, well constructed positive meeting moving forward," said Banks. "We can make this work."
Mayoral forum chairperson Penny Webster said it's fine as long any disagreement is healthy.
"They're all individuals...have all got their own communities at heart," said Webster.
The mayors now have a focus for their face to face meeting on Thursday Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.
"We really do need to make sure Rodney gets it in his hands first so that he's got some answers for us," Webster said.
And plenty of Aucklanders will also be listening with so much about Auckland's proposed new structure still up in the air.
