‘‘The Government is intent on ploughing ahead with its highly centralised, co-governed mega-entities.’’

way possible,’’ Mahuta said, in a statement issued yesterday.

She, and Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, had been preparing for the select committee recommendations to land this week, indicating earlier they were open to making significant changes to the bill.

National and ACT MPs promptly criticised the Labour majority’s recommendations. National Party MP and local government spokesperson Simon Watts said the select committee should have held off making its recommendations to consider the alternative proposal of Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and