Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Auckland’s Next Mayoral Context Gets Underway

Auckland’s Next Mayoral Context Gets Underway

Auckland Mayoral Candidate Mark Thomas said Len Brown’s decision today sets up for a clear contest between a candidate with detailed experience of the last five years of Auckland Council and twenty in business, and one with detailed experience of the last 30 years of Parliament.

“Auckland now needs to turn its mind to Len’s replacement and to who best understands Auckland’s challenges and can deliver on its opportunities”

Thomas said he wanted to acknowledge Len for his decision not to contest the Auckland Mayoralty.

“Despite our significant differences on the direction he has taken Auckland, he is a passionate Aucklander who has put a lot into building this first period of a united Auckland.”

“He has thrown himself into the role of being Auckland’s cheer-leader-in-chief, but the executive mayoral role of the largest local government structure in Australasia demands a lot more than that.”

Five years on, disillusionment with the Super City has deepened. Average rates increase are in double digits, traffic congestion is getting worse and the region’s growth plans are in limbo. We have seen the impact of the Mayor’s approach to running Auckland spread around the country with three proposals to create other super cities rejected.

“I disagree with Len on the central way he has run Auckland: adopting an officer-led approach to the region’s planning and key decision making.”

“The public, through their councillors and local board members, don’t have an effective enough say in Auckland’s governance. I will change this by adopting a more genuine community led approach to planning. Local Boards will get more authority and a greater share of the existing budget, and councillors will have a greater role in council planning and decision making.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Len commented this morning that no training could prepare you to be Mayor of Auckland. That’s wrong. Working as an elected member of Auckland Council for the last five years, combined with twenty years of business and community experience is a more diverse and relevant background than career politics.”

Thomas said he had spent the first six weeks of his campaign meeting with community and business leaders all around the region, and with over a dozen Auckland-based Members of Parliament.

"The reaction has been very positive. I'm getting a lot of agreement on the key issues of a more affordable council, better transport sooner and agreed growth plans.

“A year out from the election, I am also grateful for the personal levels of support I have been receiving.”

Thomas said Len Brown’s record will be as the inaugural Mayor of a united Auckland who championed some of the building blocks for our region’s future. But a new Mayor is needed who can reprioritise those blocks, build much stronger community support and make more progress.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.