Foes turn to friends for Banks as mayor

By CATHERINE MASTERS

John Banks' old labels, such as racist and bigot, seem to be fading if reaction to his election as Mayor of Auckland is anything to go by.

Former Alliance MP and broadcaster Pam Corkery is a committed fan these days. She said it might surprise people to hear she partied on Saturday night alongside the right-wing mayor elect, given their widely differing politics and opinions, but he was a good friend.

As a former talkback colleague of Mr Banks on Radio Pacific, she spoke as if he has a heart of gold.

"I've observed his generosity of spirit. He's very good-natured, incredibly easy to work with, quite sensitive. All the things that many people would find surprising."

She went kicking and screaming to her "nice bloke" conclusion after finding he was not blindly dogmatic and was a good father, loving husband and excellent workmate. "There's not a whole lot you can do with that information except buckle to it."

North Shore's re-elected mayor and former police chief, George Wood, has known Mr Banks for more than 20 years as a friend, through his association with rugby league (Mr Banks once played senior rugby league) and when Mr Banks was Police Minister. Mr Wood saw no problems working alongside him.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey was more hesitant. Last week he rejected Mr Banks' aggressive style but yesterday he said: "I don't know him at all. I think you can work with anybody, given a bit of effort. He seems interesting. I'll go with that comment."

Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said Mr Banks was charismatic, passionate and understood business. Many of his antics had been designed to boost radio ratings.

"He may not say all the things we want him to say but you know where he's at. If he says he believes in roads, that's what he believes in."

Anne Speir, president of the Hero Charitable Trust, said Mr Banks had better stick to his promises, such as increasing the police force, because that would eliminate "hate crimes", but she feared the Hero Parade would no longer be welcomed in town.

Maire Leadbeater, a lobbyist for ethnic minorities who lost her council seat, said: "We need the mayor to be able to represent all [Auckland's] diverse communities, and I don't really see that in John Banks."

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