Rodney Hide

Wellington, June 5 NZPA - Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says there will be growing support for Auckland's new local government structure as the process for setting it up continues.

A poll released yesterday showed more people opposed the "super city" proposals than supported them.

The survey, commissioned by the Business Council for Sustainable Development, questioned 2164 people. It showed 31 percent opposed and 27 percent in favour, with the rest saying they were either neutral or didn't know.

"Of residents polled within the Auckland region, more opposed the proposed Super City than favoured it in every council area, bar Auckland City," said Labour's Auckland issues spokesman Phil Twyford.

"Residents in Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore, Rodney, Franklin and Papakura all opposed the plan."

Of those polled, 63 percent believed consultation has been inadequate, with 13 percent believing it has been adequate.

Aucklanders in every council area believed consultation was inadequate with the figures ranging from 55 percent in Manukau City to 91 percent in Papakura.

Mr Hide said today people were always concerned about change.

"As we go through the process and people have their say at the select committee and wider there will be growing support," he said on Radio New Zealand.

The legislation that establishes the new single city council has passed its first reading in Parliament and the special select committee that is dealing with it has called for public submissions.