Goff reveals Auckland ‘Cabinet’
Former deputy moves down while others step up under new streamlined structure
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has confirmed Bill Cashmore as his deputy, saying the Franklin councillor has a reputation for getting things done and being a straight shooter.
The farmer from the small rural coastal community of Orere at the top of the Firth of Thames is seen as solid, likeable, a good operator, loyal and capable of getting the numbers round the council table.
He replaces Len Brown’s deputy of the past six years, Penny Hulse, who has not only lost the number two job but has been stripped of the powerful planning and housing roles she oversaw, such as the Unitary Plan.
Hulse, who was made chair of the environment and community committee, said she was not disappointed and it was with some relief given the heavy load of the last three years and was fired up for a new job.
On social media her fellow Waitakere councillor Linda Cooper blamed Goff and the Labour Party for “unceremoniously” ditching her.
“They undermined her during the term so it was impossible for her to stand as Mayor,” Cooper said.
Goff paid tribute to Hulse, saying she had carried an enormous workload on council for six years and done so ably, competently and with enormous commitment.
As a member of the former Waitakere “eco city”, Goff wants Hulse to highlight his election platform on environmental issues, saying he shared her passion for sustaining and protecting the natural environment.
The biggest winner in a streamlined committee structure is North Shore councillor Chris Darby, who will chair the planning committee responsible for the gutsy issues of planning, housing and transport. His deputy will be Maungakiekie-Tamaki and centre-right councillor Denise Lee (formerly Krum).
The other big winner is Whau councillor Ross Clow who will chair the finance and performance committee. Orakei councillor Desley Simpson has been appointed deputy, a move which will please the right.
Under the three main committees of the whole council, Goff has just six sub-committees.
The new structure would lead to five fewer formal meetings a month, up to 15 fewer reports and a saving of 25 per cent in staff and councillors’ time, he said.
“Major committees have been established based on the issues that matter most to Aucklanders, including ensuring Council and [ CCOs] spend ratepayers’ money responsibly and provide the service people deserve, addressing housing unaffordability and traffic congestion, and caring for our environment and communities,” Goff said.
Asked about the fact two greying, white males would be running council, Goff said neither were prepared to have a sex change or change the colour of their skin.
Goff said the nine committees had a balance of gender in the deputy and chair positions, ethnically the council was not represented — “I can’t change that, the electorate has made that decision” — and the decision on the deputy mayor was made on merit.
Goff said the structure and appointments will be reviewed after one year.