Environment Canterbury's chairman Alec Neill, deputy chair Jo Kane, Cr Bob Kirk and chief executive Dr Bryan Jenkins met with Environment Minister Nick Smith, Minister of Local Government Dr Rodney Hide and key ministerial staff, Sue Powell (Environment), Deborah James (Internal Affairs) and Simo

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.

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."

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.

ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today that Transport Minister Steven Joyce's imposition of an Auckland Transport Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) is now seriously undermining the whole concept of unified and strengthened local government for Auckland.

For immediate release: Thursday 11 March 2010 Tai Eru has been sworn in to sit on Environment Bay of Plenty's Ōkurei Constituency seat. The seat was left vacant following the sudden death of Hawea Vercoe last year.

The Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, has welcomed the release today of the Local Government Commission's decisions on Auckland local board numbers, wards and boundaries.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is blatantly misleading Aucklanders in an increasingly desperate bid to sell the super city to a sceptical public, says Labour's Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.

The Public Service Association is warning the government that it risks losing skilled and experienced workers needed to run Auckland's new 'super city'. The PSA has 2700 members working for Auckland's eight local authorities and council controlled organisations such as Manukau Water.

"This Government just isn't listening to Aucklanders when it comes to the future of our democracy. The Governments reluctance to protect Auckland assets, coupled with its refusal to grant Local Boards any real powers has come to a head, says Labour MP, Carol Beaumont