AT director quits board as mayor seeks ‘complete change in approach’
The head of Auckland’s light rail project has quit the board of Auckland Transport, in the latest departure since Wayne Brown became mayor.
Tommy Parker yesterday announced his resignation, saying he was proud of his contributions.
“My decision to resign now gives me the opportunity to focus on progressing the successful delivery of a light rail project that is vital for Auckland.
“I am leading a world-class team of experts on the planning and design phase of the project and their work, together with the establishment of Auckland Light Rail Ltd as an independent Crown company, are combining to build momentum for a project that will make our city an even greater place to call home.”
Parker’s departure follows the new mayor calling for the board of Auckland Transport to resign when he came to office.
The board’s chairwoman Adrienne Young-Cooper quit the role the day Brown was elected.
Brown said yesterday Parker had done the right thing in resigning.
“I have been advised that
Tommy made a strong and very professional contribution to the . . . AT Board and I thank him for his service. It speaks well of Tommy’s integrity that he has decided to focus on his role at Auckland Light Rail Ltd and I wish him well for his future executive and governance career.” In a written directive to acting AT chairman Wayne Donnelly last month, Brown said he was seeking a “complete change in approach” from the transport body.
“You appear to have been focused on changing how Aucklanders live, using transport policy and services as a tool.
“Instead, AT must seek to deeply understand how Aucklanders actually live now, how they want to live in the future, and deliver transport services that support those aspirations.”