Auckland City Council
Media release

11 September 2008

City councillor steps down to pursue bid for Parliament

Councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has stepped down from his position as chairperson of Auckland City Council’s City Development Committee to further concentrate on his bid for election to parliament as National Party member for Maungakiekie. 

Mr Lotu-Iiga chaired the committee for the last time today (Thursday).

A successor will be announced before the committee meets again on 9 October.

Mr Lotu-Iiga has previously stated that if elected to parliament he would retain his position as councillor and continue serving the council and his council constituents until the next local body elections.

“My work on the council has given me a great opportunity to help champion key local issues for Maungakiekie such as protecting the Onehunga foreshore from the proposed State Highway 20 extension,” he said. “If I’m privileged enough to be elected to parliament my continuing representation on the council will keep me in touch with the challenges facing the city and the ward.”

Mr Lotu-Iiga said the City Development Committee in particular was a fulfilling role for any chairperson. “It’s an area of the group council which is critical to the council achieving its goal of being the First City of the Pacific.”  

During his term as chairperson, Mr Lotu-Iiga oversaw the rollout of the recycling wheelie bins on the isthmus; had oversight of the regulatory programme to improve efficiencies within Auckland City Environments, and provided ongoing support for development of both the Waitemata and Manukau harbours.

Ends