The pro-developer planning legislation was passed about 2am by planning minister Frank Sartor, leaving more than 320 country mayors and councillors disgusted with his actions.

Wellington mayor Anne Jones has joined the push for an Upper House inquiry into the laws.

“We are very disappointed the minister has proceeded in the way he has,” Cr Jones said.

“He said the planning legislation needs reform and we certainly agree, but we believe that we who deal with the community on a day to day basis would be in a better position to inform that legislation.

“We believe that we have been very responsible in the way we have delivered services to our community and can’t believe the minister has done this.”

Rubbing salt into the wound is an alternative model delivered to Mr Sartor by the Local Government and Shires Association that was completely disregarded in the passing of the legislation.

Cr Jones said local councils were expecting to be consulted on the legislation before it was passed and afforded the opportunity to debate it constructively.

“I was down at the conference when Minister Sartor addressed the mayors and he appeared very hostile from the start after someone had reported to him our dissatisfaction,” Cr Jones said.

“We are hoping there will be sufficient support from the Upper House and that they will vote for this to be referred to a public inquiry.

“At the end of the day it is local councils who have to deal with their communities.

“I believe that we are more informed than the minister and his department on what these communities need and really all we wanted was the opportunity to sit down and debate the legislation.”