Alarm bells are ringing for Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres over the future shape of Auckland.

An announcement will be made today on the final boundaries of the new merged entity.

Mr de Bres says the rejection of designated seats for Maori and the proposed two-year sunset clause on other ethnic advisory boards, is not a good start for the new council. He is not confident the boards will give people a voice and says there is also a risk the council will be less diverse than its predecessors.

Mr de Bres says Auckland is by far the country's most multicultural city and decisions need to have regard for that diversity.