The Prime Minister has endorsed the current mayor of Auckland City John Banks as his pick for the mayoralty of the Auckland super city.
John Key was speaking at the National Party's Northern Convention at Auckland's Trust Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A Transition Agency has been appointed to oversee the merging of Auckland's eight regional authorities into one super council.
The Prime Minister began his address to the convention by acknowledging John Banks as the super mayor of Auckland.
Mr Key went on to say that Auckland, in its present state, is dysfunctional and needs a better governance structure.
Meanwhile, Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says he remains hopeful the Government will allow Maori to have seats on the planned Auckland super-city council.
Dr Sharples says he met Prime Minister John Key and iwi leaders earlier this week to discuss Maori seats being part of the city's new infrastructure.
The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance recommended the creation of three Maori seats on the new Auckland council, but the Government rejected the idea.
Dr Sharples says another plan has been put to Mr Key who is considering it.
