Expert witnesses may not be able to take part in crucial hearings on the future residential shape of the Auckland.
Auckland Council has told an independent panel due to consider the housing zones that a vote taken last week leaves its role at the two months of hearings unclear.
Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
The vote overturned the council's case to the panel for higher density housing in some residential areas than had been provided for in the 2013 Unitary Plan - and which had not been subject to public submissions.
Hearings are due to start on Thursday and in a formal memo to the panel the council is seeking to withdraw part of the evidence already lodged.
But it also seeks direction from the panel about whether council experts may still be subject to questions on the withdrawn zonings - something which may prevent their appearing.