Rodney plea to any MP to sponsor Super City bid

A poll found two-to-one opposition in Rodney to becoming part of the Auckland Super City. Photo / Natalie Slade

The Rodney District Council is looking for an MP to sponsor its bid to be left out of the Super City.

It has had to throw the task open to all comers because the district's parliamentary representatives are Prime Minister John Key, Speaker Lockwood Smith, Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett and Auckland governance select committee chairman John Carter.

Encouraged by a survey which showed Rodney residents were opposed two to one to joining the Auckland Council, Rodney drafted a local bill, which it hopes will be introduced into Parliament.

It will be available for inspection at council libraries and service centres from today until June 8.

Mayor Penny Webster, a former Act list MP, said it was hoped that after that period, the bill would be presented to the Clerk of the House and introduced to Parliament by the local MP.

It should then go to at least a first reading stage before referral to a select committee.

Mrs Webster said early pressure for a local bill had come from the Northern Action Group, which wanted the district's northern part transferred to Kaipara Harbour.

But the council had commissioned a Colmar Brunton poll of 1200 residents over the whole district and found only 21 per cent support for Rodney joining the Super City and 52 against.

Bill Townson said the group was appealing to Mr Key and Dr Smith to use their influence to leave North Rodney out.

"Trying to get a divorce from the Auckland Council at some future date will never be allowed and we will be stuck with an urban ruler forever."