Media Release
Councillor Graeme Easte
Auckland City Council

Sunday 15 August 2010

John Banks Isolated From Council

John Banks is correct to say that “no big city Mayor can afford the time to attend every council committee meeting”, but his attendance record at Council Committees has been almost zero says Councillor Graeme Easte.

“As a close observer of six Auckland City mayors over 25 years I am disturbed by John Banks’ lazy, isolated style of leadership – especially given the great powers (for good or bad) which the new Super Mayor will have. His attendance at Council committees is far lower than any Auckland City Mayor in living memory.”

Councillor Easte says “At least since the time of Cath Tizard, all Auckland mayors except John Banks have been regularly present for significant debates at committee meetings. Of course this was facilitated by having the mayoral office just down the hall from the No. 1 Committee Room, allowing easy access between Mayor and Councillors.”

“Only John Banks has chosen to isolate himself in the Town Hall, completely separated from both Councillors and the senior bureaucracy. An appointment is required to see him. He says this makes him closer to the people in Queen Street but precious few wend their way up several flights of stairs and past the locked security doors.”

“Our Super city Mayor must engage and collaborate with his fellow leaders, both elected and appointed. They cannot hide themselves away in splendid isolation as John Banks has done.”

ENDS

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