Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says there's not much chance Parliament will consider letting the Rodney District exclude itself from the Auckland super city.
Shortly after new boundaries for the Auckland region were announced on Thursday, Rodney District Council - one of the eight outgoing local bodies - voted to draft a local bill, asking Parliament to let it opt out.
Rodney district mayor Penny Webster says the needs of Rodney people, especially in rural areas, are different from the rest of Auckland's, which is why she's making a final attempt to break away.
Mr Hide says chances are slim that the bill will be heard this year, and it will be hard to get it through anyway.
"We live in a democracy and people can have a last punt at things, but I have to say I've always been plain to the people of Rodney ... that I think their chances are slim because Parliament and the Government have already considered the issue and decided. But politicians have changed their minds before."
A spokesperson for Speaker Lockwood Smith's office says no local bill has been lodged with the office.
Labour MP Phil Twyford supports the Rodney council's move and says it is highly likely the Franklin and Papakura councils will also pressure the Government to exclude them from the super city.
Read more: Auckland super city finalised, but Rodney to fight
Merge, say farmers
Federated Farmers says the Rodney District Council needs to put aside petty politicking and focus on getting the best deal for its residents.
Auckland acting president Wendy Clark says the council's bid to become a unitary authority is not workable.
Ms Clark says Rodney would have to absorb a lot of costs which are currently absorbed regionally, without any economies of scale.
"They've got to move on, if they are going to do the right thing by their people they've got to make sure they are in there in the next debate, which is how to get as many functions devolved to the local boards as possible so that local decisions get made at the local level."
She says Rodney farmers pay the highest rates in the Auckland region.
