I’m Goff and I’m off – Auckland mayor bows out
‘‘It’s over and out from me,’’ said Phil Goff as he ended a 41-year political career in the final meeting of the fourth Auckland Council, which he has led for the past two terms.
Goff, his deputy Bill Cashmore and long-serving Cathy Casey all bowed out ahead of the October 8 election, with two-term Manukau councillor Efeso Collins hoping to return as mayor.
‘‘It’s been a privilege. I’ll be watching from the sidelines and trying not to be [Sesame Street character] Oscar the Grouch, and will do my very best not to make 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 tōtara 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.
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 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 lifelong friend,’’ he said.