Weight of the chain: Retiring mayors give advice to newbies
On Friday morning outgoing Ka¯ piti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan was dragging R2D2 into his mayoral office.
That’s the name he’s given to the big locked bin he’s chucking all his documents into as he clears out his desk and drawers. Its contents are bound for destruction and, no, he won’t let me have them instead.
When he’s finished filling it, he’s got a couple of pictures to take down off the wall, and then he’s pretty much done.
‘‘I have been thinking about putting the mayoral chains on Trade Me though,’’ he says.
On the eve of New Zealand’s local government elections, outgoing mayors around the country were doing much the same as Gurunathan; clearing out their gear and reflecting on the job they’ve chosen to walk away from.
They’re also sharing a bit of advice for the incomers, and typically Gurunathan isn’t mincing his words.
‘‘Be ready, the storm is coming.’’
That storm, he says, is the growing mess of global instability, geopolitics and economic recession, all things he warns will test relationships both within council and with aspirations of local iwi.
‘‘I would tell the new mayors to tread carefully; to know the difference between governance and management because once you’ve carefully considered the rules of engagement there’s a negotiable grey area between the two which needs good will and trust.’’
Gurunathan also says incoming mayors should be aware both of the responsibility of the role and that they’re now public property. Personal views and journeys need to be put aside, and every action can be scrutinised. ‘‘A week after I was elected I got a ticket for running a red light. The police officer knew I was the mayor, and he still gave me the bloody ticket – good on him. But I was absolutely freaking out in case some reporter like Virginia Fallon got hold of it.’’
Joking aside, Guru says scrutiny of local politicians is critical, but when it comes to social media where that scrutiny is replaced with abuse his advice is simple. ‘‘Don’t go there, I don’t give a stuff but it can be soul-destroying.’’
In Christchurch, outgoing mayor Lianne Dalziel echoes that
sentiment when asked whether she’d have stuck around if her personal circumstances were different.
‘‘Given the toxicity that has pervaded recent times? No I wouldn’t, and feel so sorry because I don’t want to discourage young women from stepping into the political realm.’’
Dalziel’s political career began in 1990 as a Labour backbencher. Back then, the internet was just starting, and has evolved since then to allow the abuse that’s hardened her resolve not to run again. It’s foul, she says, and the perpetrators’ grandmothers would be ashamed.
Her personal reason behind the decision not to campaign for a fourth term was the loss of her husband Rob Davison, who died in 2020.
‘‘In order to run for public office you need someone who 100% believes in you no matter how stupid you are.
‘‘My husband was that, so I couldn’t run without him. I need someone who says ‘don’t read that, don’t listen to that, you’re amazing’ and I can’t think of anyone else who thinks that.’’
As for what incoming mayors might not be ready for, she warns they need to remember they’re just one vote around the council table so shouldn’t get too big for their boots.
They should also assume nothing and be aware they may need to be the spokesperson for a crisis. Dalziel found herself doing that many times as her city was rocked by floods, fire and the horrific mosque shootings. ‘‘There is nothing that can prepare you for having to speak on behalf of the city at a time like that.’’
Finally, new mayors should surround themselves with people they can trust and rely on to give them honest feedback. ‘‘Critical friends are absolutely vital.’’
Despite her warnings, though, Dalziel says serving her city has been an honour, and while she’s taking off the mayoral chains she has no plans to retire from work.
‘‘Let everyone know I’m looking for a job please.’’
Outgoing Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says he’s got his sights firmly fixed on a different sort of work once he leaves office. Although he’s tipped to be the next high commissioner to UK, he says his immediate plan after handing over the mayoral chains involves fixing fences and clearing growth on his lifestyle property.
Goff’s two-term mayoralty follows a long career in Parliament, and he says the demands of the former are much more intense than the latter.
‘‘Being a mayor is definitely tougher than being an MP, except when you’re the leader of the Opposition – that’s got to be the hardest role.’’
Like Dalziel, he advises new mayors to remember they have just one vote; their power lies in persuading counsellors that what they want for the city is good for the city.
And, like both the outgoing mayors of Christchurch and Ka¯piti Coast he warns the new leaders that every day in elected office is a privilege that has to be earned.
‘‘They can say goodbye to their weekends too, that’s the other thing I’d tell them.’’