It's got to be a record turn out to an Auckland Council meeting.

Hundreds of people are spilling out of the Town Hall as they make councillors aware of their opposition to one of the Government's special housing areas.

500 homes are scheduled to be built on the 33 -hectare Oruarangi Road area in Mangere, near the airport.

But local Maori says the area is culturally significant - and the surrounding Otuataua Stonefields include historic stone walls and burial chambers.

The surrounding Otuataua Stonefields include historic stone walls and burial chambers.

Councillors will vote on the issue today.

They will give the final go-ahead to start Development Auckland, a new council development agency due to being operations next week.

Councillors are also likely to vote against having a referendum on alternative transport funding options like motorway tolls.