Poll shows Supercity distrust

Almost 71 per cent think the changes to Auckland are being rushed. Photo / NZ Herald

An Auckland Supercity is less than a year away but, given the chance, most residents would call the whole thing off.

Nine months out from the election, a Herald on Sunday/Buzz Channel poll found 56.9 per cent would choose to remain with the existing eight councils, while 43.1 per cent would opt for change.

The result reflects widespread concern about the speed of the changes and who's been driving them.

Two-thirds of those surveyed said Aucklanders had been ignored and almost 71 per cent thought the changes had been rushed.

Many opponents feared their local identity would be lost, while others felt more consultation was needed.

Those who supported change said Auckland would become a true international city with a unified voice.

The survey showed residents in the west and south were most concerned about the changes, with less than a third of respondents in Waitakere, Franklin and Papakura supporting the amalgamation.

Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey said West Auckland was "the only community that is aware of what's happening" and opponents needed to accept the Supercity was going ahead. "The battle has been lost. Now they should understand how it's going to work."

The demographically-weighted poll surveyed 1570 people from during December and January.

Voters vow to turn out at election time

Aucklanders are vowing to turn out in record numbers for Supercity elections in October, with 72 per cent of those surveyed in a Herald on Sunday/Buzz Channel poll planning to vote because of the reforms.

The survey also showed only half were able to name a current councillor.

When asked to name their mayor, most got it right - though Auckland mayor John Banks was named by residents in Waitakere, Rodney, Manukau and the North Shore as their figurehead.

North Shore residents were the most confused, with results including Banks, former North Shore mayor George Wood, former Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard.