Bruce Hucker will stand for mayor of Auckland

Auckland City councillor and former deputy-mayor, Bruce Hucker, has confirmed that he is standing for mayor at the October local body elections.

In announcing his decision Bruce Hucker said: "The way the city is heading under the present mayor has convinced me that I should spearhead a better, more sensible approach. Plans to drive a highway through the Eastern Corridor are just the latest madness but I have been concerned about many developments including the sale of pensioner housing.

"We live in a great city but it's not in the right hands. It's time for strong but inclusive leadership and that's what I can provide."

He will stand as an independent with the support of City Vision, the team he leads. He is a member of the Labour Party. Dr Hucker says his strengths include experience in regional leadership, governance and directorship experience in business enterprises and the ability to move comfortably between different social and ethnic groups. He has worked with community groups for all his adult life including 18 years as an Auckland City councillor.

Dr Hucker is passionate about solving Auckland's transport problems quickly and for the long term. That means, he says, both completion of the State Highway 20 connection to the Northwestern Motorway, as a strategic alternative to the Harbour Bridge, and greatly improved, integrated public transport.

As chairman of the Watercare Services Shareholder Representatives Group (representing Auckland local councils), Dr Hucker has been instrumental in achieving a reduction in the price of water and wastewater services including a forthcoming multi-million dollar rebate. And, as chairman of Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited's Shareholder Representatives Group, he has been active in promoting improved ferry and railway infrastructure.

A graduate of the University of Auckland and Otago University, Dr Hucker completed his doctorate in Princeton in the United States. First elected to Auckland City Council in 1986, he served as deputy-mayor from 1998 to 2001 and is now a councillor for the Western Bays ward.

He is a senior lecturer in planning at the University of Auckland and is married with three adult sons.

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