No politics please, Mr Goff
Government urges new super city mayor to leave party loyalty at the door, writes Shane Cowlishaw.
THE Government has told Auckland’s new mayor to leave his political affiliations ‘‘at the door’’ so they can get on with fixing the city’s problems.
Labour MPPhil Goff won the race for the top job in an expected landslide victory.
With almost 50 per cent of votes, he was well ahead of National-supported Vic Crone who came in second.
He will now step down from Parliament, with a by-election for his Mt Roskill seat to be held.
Goff has been elected by Aucklander’s on a ticket of getting the Government to put more money into housing and transport.
This could lead to conflict with Wellington politicians, despite Goff’s hopes they could work together.
‘‘What Aucklanders expect is not me squabbling with central Government or central Government squabbling with me, but the two of us working together to rind a resolution to the problems that are real problems in Auckland.’’
Housing minister Nick Smith said it was important Goff put aside his Labour ties.
‘‘Mayor Goff ultimately has to make a choice, as an independent mayor is he going to leave his previous political affiliations at the door so we can get on and do the best for New Zealand’s largest city?’’
He congratulated Goff on his victory and hoped there would be a constructive relationship similar to the one developed with Len Brown who is standing down.
After acknowledging supporters, friends and family and his mayoral competitors Goff said his first priority was to restore Aucklander’s confidence in council.
‘‘Now the real job begins, my first priority as mayor is to work to restore the confidence of the people of Auckland in their council.
‘‘Fifteen per cent trust in our council is a failure, we have to do better than that, we need a council that is more efficient, responsible, transparent and effective.’’
Two-thirds of the Super City council were re-elected, with five new faces joining the table.
In other election results, Hamilton councillor Andrew King won a close race to be chosen as mayor.
Thames-Coromandel elected Sandra Goudie as mayor, Taupo David Trewavas and the Waikato District Council will have Allan
DAVID WHITE / FAIRFAX NZ Sanson in charge.
In Northland current Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai retained her job.
Whakatane saw the return of a well-known politician, with former Green Party MPNandor Tanczos being handed a seat at the District Council.
Tauranga received a new mayor, with Greg Brownless beating 10 other candidates for the job.