A move to introduce a living wage for employees at Auckland Council has had a setback and is unlikely to happen next year.
Councillors unhappy with the proposal succeeded, by a margin of one-vote on Thursday, to have the policy deferred until more detailed work has been carried out.
Mayor Len Brown was re-elected on policies including the introduction of a living wage of $18.40 per hour.
Councillor Cameron Brewer successfully argued the council should first prepare a broad policy on pay throughout the council.
He said it should also investigate the effect on the business community of the council adopting the living wage as its minimum rate.