The future governance and role of Auckland's 41 town centre organisations looks a lot clearer, with the Auckland Transition Agency now giving very strong hints that local business associations will stay in Auckland's new governance structure," says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newm

Many statements being made about the new Auckland Council controlled organizations (CCOs) are simply wrong, and misrepresent the clear intentions of the proposed law, says Employers & Manufacturers Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson.

The Environmental Defence Society today welcomed the release of the State of the Auckland Region report.

"The report underscores the enormous pressure that a burgeoning population is placing on the region's natural resources," said EDS Senior Policy Analyst Raewyn Peart.

Labour's Auckland Issues spokesperson, Phil Twyford says "Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide is misleading Aucklanders on a daily basis as the list of super city critics grows longer and longer."

The Green Party is calling on the Government to remove the creation of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) from the third Super City Bill.

Submissions from the Tamaki Community Board and Tamaki residents, ratepayers and community groups have successfully persuaded the Local Government Commission to form two separate, single-member, Auckland Council wards from the originally proposed two-member Orakei-Maungakiekie ward.

The Local Government Commission yesterday released its determination on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council, including the boundaries for wards and local boards within Rodney District.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says she is getting strong support from right throughout the district on her Council's wish to remain out of the new Auckland Council.

Claims by ARC Chairman Mike Lee and others that the new Auckland Transport organization won't have to act in accordance with the requirements of the Auckland Council are wrong in fact and misrepresent the clear intentions of the new Auckland governance arrangements for the region.

The final boundaries for the Auckland Council and local boards are positive for the North Shore community and provide a good basis for democratic representation, North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams said today.