The city council is using independent commissioners from out of town to hear submissions on the proposed new district plan.

Two experts, from Nelson and Banks Peninsula, have been appointed to the hearings panel.

They're due to consider all information and submissions presented on the second generation plan.

Four councillors are also on the committee, which will begin the hearings process in late April.

The council's not saying how much it'll cost to have commissioners from outside the city involved.

They've both got decades of experience in the planning sector and have worked with other councils.

Hearings for the local plan are expected to run for several months.