What an extraordinary situation that’s playing out between central Government and Auckland Council.

How is it in this country that our largest city, our economic powerhouse is in a stand-off with the Government – and on an issue as important as housing?

The council is playing a dangerous game.

It won’t give consent to three special housing areas in north-west Auckland because it says the existing infrastructure isn't up to scratch. The infrastructure won't support another 2000-3000 households.

The council has a point. The roads, the lack of public transport, the struggling infrastructure…it’s a shambles. Auckland does need more Brownfields development. Central city suburbs need to go up - as opposed to letting the city sprawl, and sprawl and sprawl across Greenfields.

But, that said, the council isn’t playing a smart game here. It’s trying to do one of two things, either force the Government to stump up some cash to help build the roads and develop the infrastructure, or get the Government to back down on its opposition to raising revenue through a petrol or road tax.

The Government, meanwhile, is holding its ground and saying don’t mess with us. Don’t try this on – we can over-ride you, Auckland Council.

It’s like two old mountain goats squaring off against each other, and one of them is about to charge and head-butt the other. Someone has to lose this fight.

Local and central Governments are supposed to act in the best interests of rate and taxpayers...to do what’s right for communities, for societies, for economies. Meanwhile, the losers at the moment are the rate-payers...and anyone who wants to buy or rent a house in Auckland.

It’s a really interesting question if you can take the politics out of this. Forget you’ve got a left-leaning council and a centre-right Government….and then answer this question.

Who’s at fault here?

Should Auckland Council know what’s best for Auckland and its ratepayers?

Or does central Government know better?

Regardless of where you live in the country, do you support the council's argument that it can't build these huge developments without first improving the infrastructure? Or do you side with the Government and think Auckland should just crack on with building the houses and improve the infrastructure later?

Who’s right and who’s wrong?

I think we've got quite a stand-off here - and I'm just not sure who will blink first.