NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Business

Fran O'Sullivan: Mixed result on mayor's performance

Fran O'Sullivan
By Fran O'Sullivan
Head of Business·NZ Herald·
21 Jan, 2014 04:30 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Brown outlined "Six Strategies for 2014" - an indication that he does measure up on Clark's second point, writes O'Sullivan. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Brown outlined "Six Strategies for 2014" - an indication that he does measure up on Clark's second point, writes O'Sullivan. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Fran O'Sullivan
Opinion by Fran O'Sullivan
Head of Business, NZME
Learn more
Len Brown vigorously promotes Auckland but debatable how much his ability to be cheerleader is now compromised.

Greg Clark - feted as an international cities expert - laid out a 10-point plan when he talked to the Herald in 2010 about a recipe for Auckland's success.

This was on the eve of the election for the first mayor of Auckland to preside over the new Super City.

Clark's "10 habits for a successful mayor" are worth reprising as the hapless Len Brown sets about trying to redeem himself in citizens' eyes.

Clark said the mayor had to:
1. Vigorously promote Auckland's image and identity.
2. Plan actions and set priorities.
3. Not spread the jam too thin.
4. Be collaborative.
5. Focus on delivery.
6. Be open-minded.
7. Raise the investment rate.
8. Be willing to create new entities to deliver priorities if no willing entity exists.
9. Be prepared to change the rules.
10. Pursue re-election without compromising the task at hand.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

While debate continues over Brown's extracurricular activities - in particular his freebie stays at SkyCity Hotel and the extent to which any anonymous contributors to his electoral trust expect payback through specific policy direction - it's worth looking at how he measures up on the 10 points.

It's fair to say that Brown has vigorously promoted Auckland's image and identity. But it's also debatable to what extent Brown's ability to be the city's chief cheerleader is compromised by the recent scuttlebutt.

Brown's team - most of whom are said to be on the usual shorter-term contracts that go with working for politicians - are working hard to keep their boss in play.

But the mayor does not help himself when he chooses to claim that Aucklanders just want him to get on with the job for which he was elected. That is patently not correct. As the Herald's pre-Christmas polls indicated, a great number simply prefer him to make a dignified exit.

On Monday, Brown outlined "Six Strategies for 2014" - an indication that he does measure up on Clark's second point.

He'll be tempting a row with the Beehive - in particular John Key's Cabinet ministers - if he tries to bring forward building the city rail link to 2016.

Discover more

New Zealand|politics

Brown private prosecution papers filed

15 Jan 03:35 AM
New Zealand|politics

Brown's wife target for legal action

16 Jan 05:53 AM
New Zealand|politics

Mayor Brown steps out for opening

16 Jan 04:30 PM
New Zealand|politics

Mayor Brown brushes off protests

18 Jan 12:53 AM

No prime minister wants a discredited Auckland mayor raining on their parade in election year by trying to up the ante and push the Government into endorsing his plan - unless of course the numbers do stack up.

When it comes to avoiding spreading the jam too thinly, it makes sense for Brown to set about keeping the rates rise to a 2.5 per cent average ceiling.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But let's make clear this is still a rates rise. It is clearly not delivering lower rates as Brown claimed on Monday. Moving to more sustainable debt is laudable but let's make crystal clear that the increased debt has been created under Brown's leadership.

If the Auckland Council - that is the councillors - were up to it they could insist on a localised version of the "fiscal responsibility" policies that make central government spending plans more transparent - to ensure they do not continue to get run over by the mayor in this area.

When it comes to collaboration - Clark's fourth point - the mayor could start with his own council members. There is nothing in his six-point strategy article that even acknowledges they might also have other ideas and priorities, not just his.

This is rather dangerous for the mayor given the councillors' ultimatum to him to be more inclusive and not to present them with fait accompli decisions such as his living wage deal for staffers which was shot down late last year.

Brown does need to up his game when it comes to focusing on delivery. But it's also an area where central government could usefully demand more accountability given that taxpayers are going to have to pony up considerable cash to fund Brown's pet transport policies.

Open-minded? Really? Learning to listen would help.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Raising the investment rates and being willing to create new entities are to some degree covered by the public-private partnerships (PPP) the mayor included in his six strategies.

EY (formerly Ernst Young) reported on PPPs to the mayor's office late last year.

Brown has indicated SkyPath, wi-fi, waste management, the city rail link, and other major transport projects as candidates. But let's ensure here they are appropriately costed and contracted.

Auckland Council needs to apply just as much rigor as Treasury does for central government initiated PPPs. When it comes to commercial sponsorships again it's that transparency question.

Are the sponsorships and PPPs properly advertised with request for proposals required and assessed in a competitive bid process before final decisions are made?

Clark wanted the mayor to be prepared to change the rules. Councillors would wish he simply lived within the rules and did not operate in a way that would be unacceptable for staffers.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

On the final Clark measure Brown has failed.

He successfully pursued re-election. But he compromised the task at hand. This will handicap Brown as he endeavours to pursue his two remaining strategies - ensuring more affordable housing and a plan for economic growth.

Brown plans to launch what is in effect an action plan developed by Ateed (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) in the next fortnight. If he wants to build credibility it is important that he also creates space for Auckland's broader leadership to play a part in that endeavour.

Next week Clark will be in Auckland for a round of seminars with Ateed, the council's Planning Office and the Auckland Business Advisory Panel on the way forward.

At a breakfast seminar convened by panel chairman Michael Barnett next Wednesday, business leaders will give their input into "A Shared Economic Agenda for Auckland". This is essential if business players are to play their role in stimulating growth and employment in the city.

Brown will build respect if he allows them to do that rather than simply hog the limelight.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Clark's 11th point for a successful mayor should be just that.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Business

Premium
Opinion

Peter Simunovich: Mental health support at work is not optional

02 Jun 12:00 AM
Premium
Small Business

Small Business: Giftbox Boutique’s journey from garage start-up to pandemic success

01 Jun 09:00 PM
Premium
Business

Is this the solution to Auckland's potentially looming waste crisis?

01 Jun 09:00 PM

Deposit scheme reduces risk, boosts trust – General Finance

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Business

Premium
Peter Simunovich: Mental health support at work is not optional

Peter Simunovich: Mental health support at work is not optional

02 Jun 12:00 AM

OPINION: Businesses invested in mental health during the pandemic but many are regressing.

Premium
Small Business: Giftbox Boutique’s journey from garage start-up to pandemic success

Small Business: Giftbox Boutique’s journey from garage start-up to pandemic success

01 Jun 09:00 PM
Premium
Is this the solution to Auckland's potentially looming waste crisis?

Is this the solution to Auckland's potentially looming waste crisis?

01 Jun 09:00 PM
The real cost of owning pets in NZ and where you can find savings

The real cost of owning pets in NZ and where you can find savings

01 Jun 07:00 PM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP