Hamilton's Mayor says Auckland's withdrawal has left a big gap in Local Government New Zealand.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has cast the deciding vote to pull the council out of the national lobby group.

Timaru District recently left the organisation, Manawatu District Council has reduced the membership fees it’s paying, and Christchurch City Council has also reconsidered its membership in recent years.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that there's strength in numbers.

She says with Auckland electing to leave, their voice around the table will be missed.

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