How they voted
As polling day looms, Bernard Orsman reviews where Auckland councillors stood on seven key issues
Regional Fuel Tax May 31, 2018
Mayor Goff got strong backing for his election pledge to introduce a regional fuel tax of 11.5c a litre at the pump, but it still got a rough ride getting through council with Manukau councillor Efeso Collins saying it would take food off people’s tables. Goff said the tax would raise $1.5b over 10 years but with Government subsidies and development contributions it would raise $4.3b. The Automobile Association warned of a potential backlash if consumers didn’t see the money put to good use.
Keep speedway at Western Springs
June 1, 2017
Goff and his A team went into a meeting planning to move speedway from Western Springs to Colin Dale Park and came out with a bloody nose. Speedway got to stay at Western Springs for at least one more season and plans for a National Cricket Ground in its place look doomed. The first big win for Goff’s opponents on the B team, who are calling the shots at what happens with Auckland’s stadiums.
Living Wage for council staff June 1, 2017
Goff won widespread support for an election pledge to introduce the Living Wage for 2064 council staff, many of whom work in libraries, customer services and community facilities, arts and events. There was 71 per cent support for the policy during consultation in Goff’s first budget, which was estimated to cost $9m and introduced in steps over three years to $21.15 an hour. If re-elected, Goff has pledged to extend the Living Wage to cleaners working on contract for council.
Bed tax June 1, 2017
Goff came up with a bed tax on hotels and motels in his first budget to raise millions for Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development(Ateed), and later extended the tax to Airbnb and holiday rentals. Hotels and accommodation providers strongly opposed the tax, challenging its legality. Nearly half of Airbnb hosts in Auckland have avoided paying the tax with Airbnb and other websites refusing to share information about hosts on privacy grounds.
Continue with business class March 22, 2018
The sensitive issue of flying business class came up when councillors Efeso Collins and John Watson tried to pull the comfy recliner seats from council staff. They proposed replacing business class with premium economy on long-haul flights for council staff. This would not apply to councillors, but they would follow the policy for obvious reasons. Goff said it would be popular to “hammer the bastards”.
The issue was narrowly lost by one vote.
Mooring dolphin at Queens Wharf Nov 23, 2017
Goff angered some of his strongest supporters by siding with the cruise industry and backing plans for a $10m mooring dolphin off the end of Queens Wharf to tie up mega cruise ships. He denied reneging on a 2016 campaign promise “not one more metre of the harbour should be infilled for commercial activity”, saying it applied to the port, not the dolphin. In March this year, hundreds of people at Queens Wharf and a flotilla of yachts protested against the 90m extension.
Eden Park bailout March 19, 2019
There was a long and fraught debate about the Eden Park Trust’s request for a grant to be used over three years to pay for maintenance and renovations. The council was divided on the bailout. Goff wanted $9.8m of extra money to be a no-interest loan, saying a no-strings grant would set a bad precedent, but he lost the vote. There was no dispute among councillors for council to take over a $40m loan from the ASB bank and a $7m credit facility.