12 Apr 2009

Mayors urged to stop squabbling

6:42 am on 12 April 2009

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says the mayors of the Auckland region need to stop squabbling and focus on what's best for the city.

Mr Hide made the comments as he denied accusations by North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams that he misled the Prime Minister and Aucklanders about the consultation process for the restructuring of Auckland governance.

Mr Williams says Mr Hide has been driven more by his political agenda than Aucklanders' interests.

He says Mr Hide consulted with only one mayor - John Banks - during the process.

Mr Hide says the Government has always had the best interests of Auckland at heart, which is why it consulted widely, especially about the issue of community boards.