Auckland councils have long debated what to do with their Auckland Airport shares.
The North Shore and Franklin councils have sold their holdings in the past three years, but Manukau and Auckland have kept their shares.
The idea of the four councils putting their collective 43.4 per cent up for sale
in one block to get the best price came to nothing when Auckland and Manukau councillors were unswayed by extensive lobbying.
Franklin District was the first council this electoral term to quit its shares, selling its 1.3 per cent stake in September 1999 for $16.5 million. The decision was carried on voices.
North Shore followed in November 1999, with a 9-3 vote to sell its 7.1 per cent stake for $87 million to repay debt and for capital works.
Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis has always argued that the council's 9.6 per cent shareholding is a strategic asset that should be kept. The council last voted 14-4 in June this year to keep the shares, currently worth $133.3 million.
Auckland City Council took a "final decision" by 11 votes to 8 in March last year to keep its 25.8 per cent, currently worth $355.9 million. In June 1999 the finance committee had voted 9-6 to sell.
Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher wanted to sell the shares and put the proceeds into public transport, but her deputy, Dr Bruce Hucker, said the airport was a strategic asset and part of an integrated transport system for Auckland.
How the councils voted on selling their airport shares (* - seeking re-election):
Auckland: For: Christine Fletcher*, Doug Astley, Gray Bartlett, Victoria Carter*, Bill Christian*, Catherine Harland*(standing for the Auckland Regional Council), Jon Olsen, Juliet Yates*. Against: Dr Bruce Hucker*, David Hay*, Maire Leadbeater*, Kay McKelvie*, Richard Northey*, Phil Raffills, Frank Ryan, Penny Sefuiva*, Faye Storer*, Vern Walsh*, Jan Welch*.
Manukau: For: Bill Kirk, Barry Keown*, Jan Sinclair*, Ken Yee*. Against: Sir Barry Curtis*, Anne Candy*, Keith Hyland*, John Kerr*, Ian McGechie*, Len Brown*, Jim Donald*, James Papali'i*, Alan Johnson, Noel Burnside*, Sharon Stewart*, Fred Anderson*, Reuben Riki, Neil Morrison*.
North Shore: For. Mayor George Wood*, Guy Cornish, Andrew Eaglen*, Dianne Hale*, Wyn Hoadley*, Gary Holmes*, Bruce Lilly*, Margaret Miles*, Jenny Kirk*. Against. Dr Joel Cayford*, Tony Holman*, Julia Parfitt*.
Feature: Local body elections 2001
www.localgovt.co.nz
Auckland councils have long debated what to do with their Auckland Airport shares.
The North Shore and Franklin councils have sold their holdings in the past three years, but Manukau and Auckland have kept their shares.
The idea of the four councils putting their collective 43.4 per cent up for sale
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