Media Release
3.15pm, Saturday October 9, 2004

First Results Show Hubbard Ahead in Auckland Mayoral Contest

Auckland has voted for change with the results of the Auckland mayoral contest showing Dick Hubbard ahead by 17,000 votes (51 per cent) at 3.15pm today (Saturday 9 October).

Speaking from his home Dick Hubbard said he was delighted and ready to take up his position as the new Mayor of Auckland City. “Aucklanders have put their trust in me and now I will ensure that this trust is justified.”

He extended his congratulations to the other successful Mayors in the wider Auckland region along with those from all cities around New Zealand.

“I would like to thank John Banks and Christine Fletcher for the good things they have achieved for Auckland City. There are a number of their initiatives that will be picked up and advanced under my leadership.”

“This campaign has robust and in the cut and thrust of election debate it is easy to say things that under normal circumstances would be inappropriate. Now, we have to move into a period of reconciliation and put any recriminations well behind us.”

He said he will hit the ground running on Monday and will focus on the new team of Councillors.

“I am delighted with the make up of the new Council. I look forward to working closely with all the members of the new team. I know Auckland will be well served by them.”

Ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>