Marlborough Express

I’m Goff and I’m off – Auckland mayor bows out

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any comments about the incoming council – but don’t hold me to that,’’ he told councillor­s and staff.

In a valedictor­y speech summarisin­g progress on his watch, Goff only became emotional when he spoke of a function he attended recently for former World War II bomber crew.

‘‘Eddie was 100 years old, a tail end gunner, and those crew had a one-in-40 chance of surviving,’’ Goff said. We owe an incredible amount to those who’ve gone before, and those who’ve made sacrifices on our behalf – we have an obligation to do what we can, standing on their shoulders, to make our future better.’’

Goff accepted as a gift a young to¯tara tree, from a nursery he helped open soon after election in 2016.

In a nod to today’s release of the council annual report, Goff praised the management of the city’s finances through the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, which cut revenue by $900 million.

‘‘This report, back us the way the council has been managed by Jim [CEO Jim Stabback] and governed,’’ he told the meeting.

Goff said through the fiscal shock, the council had maintained services, and continued to build infrastruc­ture as well as establishi­ng a climate action budget, by introducin­g a Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR).

The deputy mayor and Franklin ward councillor Cashmore delivered his valedictor­y speech marking the end of nine years on council, six as Goff’s deputy.

Cashmore went out with a 103-slide presentati­on on the council’s progress since amalgamati­on in 2010 – including the nitty-gritty of waste collection and animal management – praising the work of staff. Cashmore choked up as he paid tribute to Goff, and to his own family. ‘‘I didn’t ask to be deputy. I admire and respect you, it’s been an honour and privilege and it’s been a wonderful journey – you’ll be my life-long friend,’’ he said.

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