Listen Now: 
October 10, 2022
Wayne Brown claims mandate to fix Auckland
Adam Gifford
Posted On October 10, 2022
Download AudioAuckland’s new mayor Wayne Brown says he’s keen to see Māori groups in the city succeed economically.
The engineer and businessman says his 50,000 vote margin is a clear mandate to fix what is broken and deliver the change Aucklanders are asking for.
He says Wellington’s job is to listen to what Auckland wants and fund it, rather than impose ideological schemes like light rail, housing intensification and Three Waters reforms on a city that does not want those things.
Mr Brown told Radio Waatea he is close to key Ngāti Whatua leaders, and it’s not his place to get involved in disputes over who has mana whenua over the city.
“The idea of Māori groups succeeding economically is excellent so I will support all of their initiatives that lead to successful results, but I’m not in a hand out situation,’ he says.
Mayor Brown will spend today being briefed on the council’s books, its economic forecasts over the next three years, and all contingent liabilities and other risks.
That includes not just the council itself, but also the council controlled companies and all the other entities in which ratepayers have an interest.
Through the rest of the week, Mr Brown plans to meet with all members of the new governing board, as well as the leadership of the Independent Māori Statutory Board and with outgoing Auckland councillor Efeso Collins to discuss how they can help contribute to the change Aucklanders have voted for.
RELATED NEWS
