Phil Goff on being mayor of Auckland

Name: Phil Goff on what he'd do as mayor of Auckland
Uploaded: 2015-11-22T22:10:55+13:00
Duration: 257 s
Description: Phil Goff spoke to the Herald about his bid for mayor and why he chose to announce his candidacy so early.

NZ Herald

22 Nov, 2015 04:00 PM2 mins to read

Phil Goff spoke to the Herald about his bid for mayor and why he chose to announce his candidacy so early.

Rates

Promises fiscal discipline but short on detail. Says rates lower than the annual current goal of 3.5 per cent "would be great" but would have to have a good reason to go higher.

Ports of Auckland

Opposed to further expansion into the Waitemata Harbour. Says cars could be brought into Northport where they can be stored "on cheap land instead of the most expensive real estate in this country". Not convinced the council could keep the port land and sell the business.

Asset sales

Will not sell airport and port shares and Watercare Services, saying Aucklanders know they will lose a dividend stream and element of control. Council may have to look at getting best return on $500 million invested in golf courses.

Housing

Supports more intensive housing in the city and along arterial routes. Many areas suitable for well-designed, three- or four-storey apartments. Wants to push for measures to take speculators out of the market and giving the building industry confidence to gear up for construction.

Transport

Auckland needs to get on with city rail link to double passenger capacity and deal with congestion at Britomart. Advocates more bus, cycle and walkways to ease gridlock, and making it easer for children to walk and cycle to school. Open to idea of regional fuel tax, motorways tolls.

Relations with Wellington

Goff says he knows how central government works as an MP for 30 years and what it takes to make it responsive to Auckland's needs. Time to break the stalemate. "I will work with any Government, National or Labour-led, to get the best deal for Auckland."

Len Brown

Personality, set of skills and parliamentary experience of knowing how to get things done. Says Mr Brown would be first to acknowledge the sex scandal damaged his credibility and once that happens it damages your ability to get things done.

Waste and duplication

Top priority for Goff. Asked for examples, he could only list procurement practices and too many reports done at great expense. "The public expects the mayor to run a really tight ship."

Resigning as an MP

Taking leave of absence from Parliament once intensive campaigning starts next year. He will resign immediately as an MP and force a byelection if he wins the mayoralty. He has already resigned as Labour's Auckland affairs spokesman.