KEY POINTS:
The Royal Commission of Inquiry on Auckland Governance has been granted an extension of its reporting date until March 31 next year.
Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday said the workload of reshaping local government in Auckland was bigger than expected and the commission needed adequate time to present a robust and full report.
"Auckland governance is a complex jigsaw. The commission has undertaken a significant task and intends to obtain expert and peer reviews for aspects of its report, so it is not surprising that further time will be needed," she said.
The commission received more than 35,000 submissions and has trod a path across the region for two months, listening to more than 550 ratepayers, interested parties and councils on ways to improve local government.
The commission, chaired by retired High Court judge Peter Salmon, QC, has commissioned research, consulted widely and is set to return today from the first of two overseas study trips.
Justice Salmon and the two other commissioners, retired public servant Dame Margaret Bazley and rates inquiry head David Shand, have been visiting Brisbane and Melbourne.
The commissioners leave for Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto and London on September 28.
It became apparent that the commission would struggle to meet the original reporting date of December 1.
Justice Salmon said through a spokeswoman that the commission was pleased to have more time.
