Two councils in Northland have appointed commissioners to hear submissions on local government reform.
The Far North and Whangarei District Councils have proposed the formation of only two councils in the north and have received about 1000 public submissions on the subject.
They have appointed Sir Peter Trapski, a retired judge, and former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash, to hear the submissions and write a report.
The Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council have rejected the proposal.
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has said it is unlikely to succeed without unanimity.
Whangarei District Council says the commissioners will begin reviewing the submissions this week and begin public hearings on 1 July.
