While the final Auckland Unitary Plan although in some respects is a lot better than the previous efforts, it fails to address the main issues of too many people crowded in the city and failing infrastructure on what is a narrow-gutted isthmus.

At least the inane ‘taniwha tax' on so-called cultural sites affecting some 3600 properties is proposed to be scrapped and good riddance too.

The solution, in my opinion, was to take the bull by the horns and create another new city with proper planning. And my suggestion would be to centre this city around Pukekohe.

Let it develop gradually, properly planned during the next 30 years in a controlled manner for say 500,000 people.

After all it is only 40 minutes from Auckland, 45 minutes s to Hamilton, and could initially call on labour forces from both ends and then simply establish its own industries in the future.

Franklin District is also on the main trunk railway line and has easy access to the national State Highway 1 system, which can be upgraded in the existing corridor over time. On reflection however, perhaps that's all too simple for the local and national politicians.

The whole Auckland fiasco should be a timely warning to other NZ cities like Tauranga, regarding amalgamations and getting infrastructure and future planning in shape, based on reality, not Smartgrowth-type guesstimates.

R Paterson, Matapihi.