The chairman of the Auckland Regional Council says the new super-city council will not survive unless last-minute changes are made to its proposed structure.
Mike Lee's comments came as eight Auckland leaders made final submissions to a parliamentary select committee considering the last piece of legislation that will establish the regionwide council in November this year.
Mr Lee opposes so much of the region's assets being managed not by the super-council itself, but by council-controlled organisations outside direct political grasp.
Auckland City Mayor John Banks also voiced concern about the Auckland Transport Agency, which will have a budget of about $1 billion of ratepayer and taxpayer money.
Manukau City Mayor Len Brown asked for the roles of about 19 local boards clarified in legislation, and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says failure to do this could revive the power-play politics that have plagued Auckland.
