David Hay calls for new councillors

David Hay is deeply disappointed that the Auckland Council governing body decided, this evening, to withdraw its evidence from the Unitary Plan Hearings process.

"This council is weak and tired. It is past its use-by date" said Mr Hay. "It is time for fresh faces, fresh thinking, new ideas, and more backbone on the Auckland Council."

"The Unitary Plan will determine the future of Auckland. Today the Council took a vote of no confidence in its hard-working staff, in its own handling of the unitary plan process and, ultimately, in itself."

"There were councillors around the table today who clearly do not have the fortitude and vision to do the job. They had neither the courage to stay the course, not the wit to find another way forward."

"They buckled under pressure from privileged home-owners from the Auckland isthmus who represent a small minority of Aucklanders.They ignored the needs of the majority of Aucklanders: they ignored the needs of the young people, tenants, and the many elderly who would prefer to downsize but remain in their community. " said Mr Hay. "Those councillors should step aside and not seek re-election in 2016."

"Council needs new faces, fresh ideas, and forward-thinking people who are committed to developing Auckland as a compact, quality, affordable, low-carbon city. I am going to be actively seeking people who will stand with me, on a cool* Auckland ticket, to achieve those goals."

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