5 ON THE WAY OUT

Aucklanders who are a lot less powerful than they used to be.

1. Lester Levy

The hospital administrator who became a darling of neoliberal reformers in the 1990s, Levy was until recently chair of all three Auckland district health boards and Auckland Transport. He retired from the health boards in

2017 and has just stepped down from AT as well. In all those roles, he may feel he achieved less than he had hoped.

2. Judith Collins

It’s hard to see a path to the National Party leadership for Judith Collins now. Simon Bridges has maintained National’s party vote and performed well, and even if they don’t win the 2020 election it’s not likely they’ll be crushed. Collins’ position on climate change — at odds even with most farm lobby groups — marks her as a fringe player, out of tune with the mainstream.

3. Don Brash

Don Brash loves the spotlight and continues to attach himself to causes that might get it shined on him. Even transport and road safety (he opposes plans to slow speeds on dangerous roads). But history’s moving on.

4. Ludo Campbell-Reid

The council’s “Design Champion“(yes, actual title) for the past 13 years, the instigator of “shared streets“and tireless promoter of many other urban design reforms, Ludo CampbellReid has resigned and is off to a bigger job in Melbourne. No word yet on whether his role or even his department will survive: the power of Stephen Town (see the top 25, number 3) is in play.

5. Jami-Lee Ross

The now-independent MP for Botany will enliven the 2020 election, there’s little doubt of that. But it’s hard to pick up any signs of support for him at all in the electorate. They feel betrayed.