27 June 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Govt problems with Auckland run far deeper than rail tunnel

It will take more than a U-turn on the City Rail Link to turn around the Key Government’s difficult relationship with Auckland, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.

“Nearly half of the Aucklanders surveyed in the latest Horizon poll rated the Government’s performance on the Central Rail Link as poor in the fortnight before it announced yesterday’s U-turn, while even more – 65 per cent – gave its performance on affordable housing the thumbs down. It’s lack of action on traffic congestion rankled with 60 per cent.

“This survey also highlights the fact that the majority of Aucklanders don’t believe the Government listens to them, nor do they trust it.

“The Government’s adoption of Labour’s policy on the City Rail Link was a final capitulation to common sense after three years of obstructing and denigrating Mayor Len Brown’s flagship project.

“The survey results indicate there is clearly something rotten in the Government’s relationship with Auckland.

“It’s not surprising. Ministers like Gerry Brownlee, Nick Smith and Steven Joyce want to run Auckland from their offices in the Beehive, despite setting up the super city so Aucklanders could speak with one voice.”

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