Mayoral candidate John Tamihere has congratulated Phil Goff for finally realising six months out from an
election that he has lost control of the city.

Following a no-show by highly paid Auckland Transport bureaucrats to a group of 600 upset ratepayers at the St Heliers community centre on Monday, Goff has gone on the front foot saying AT should have fronted “as they are answerable to the people.”

The no show meant Goff was left to front the mess.

Taimhere said the failure by AT and the lack of leadership from the Mayor’s office was disgraceful.

“After two-and-a-half years the Mayor finally realises he has lost control of the city – especially the Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) which are clearly out of control,” Tamihere said.

“I will be writing to the Mayor’s office today to request that no new appointments be made – whether they be as a director or chair to the CCOs - until after the election.

“In light of the non-appearance and non-performance of AT, that includes the appointment of a new chair. The Mayor should halt the process of appointing the new Chairman of AT until the election is over so the new Mayor can lead that very important appointment process with a proper mandate from Auckland’s citizens. There is clear lack of confidence across the city with Auckland Transport.

“Where was Goff when AT acquired a non-notified consent from the Council to create massive congestion in Auckland’s CBD by cutting Quay St traffic from 4 lanes to two? Where has Goff been hiding while Auckland Transport wants to reduce some of our main thoroughfares in the city down to 30km/hour? AT’s performance has been woeful for the entire time of Goff’s administration and now there’s an election around the corner, he’s decided to flex his muscles,” Tamihere said.

Tamihere said he will also be requesting the mayor and Council CEO Stephen Town – whose contract expires next year – show caution when appointing executives who will earn more than $200,000 a year.

“New appointments to Council executive positions on a salary of $200k+ must be prudent and I suggest those people are only appointed on a 24 month contract,” Tamihere said.

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