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Home / New Zealand

Lee puts on tram driver's hat for new waterfront job

Vaimoana Tapaleao
By Vaimoana Tapaleao
Pasifika Editor·NZ Herald·
4 Aug, 2011 05:30 PM2 mins to read

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Mike Lee. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Mike Lee. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Auckland councillor Mike Lee will be taking on a new role this weekend.

Mr Lee, the council's transport committee chairman, will become a tram driver at the Wynyard Quarter opening tomorrow.

He has been training for three weeks after being approached about being a driver for the day.

"At first I thought, 'Oh no, I'm just too busy'. But then I thought, 'No, it's another challenge and it's an honour'.

"I did a bit of training down at Wynyard, but especially at Motat."

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Mr Lee has been a big supporter of the tram project, in which two restored heritage trams take passengers around what will be known as the Wynyard Loop.

Accompanied by a supervisor, he will take members of the public for several tours tomorrow.

But he doubts many people will be keen to get on his tram.

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"I imagine if people know that I'm driving, a whole lot of them will bail out," he said. "I've got to be very careful now because I'll be carrying passengers.

"My mokopuna will be on board too, so I have to be careful I don't jerk the brake, or else everybody will jump forward."

Mr Lee said he still remembered riding on trams in Wellington as a boy.

"I loved it. What I see is the trams were taken away from Auckland against the wishes of the average person. It was a terrible mistake and bringing them back I think is a great gesture."

Discover more

Opinion

Deborah Coddington: Trams are good idea no matter whose suggestion

30 Jul 05:30 PM
New Zealand|politics

RWC: Bridge connects the waterfront

31 Jul 05:30 PM
New Zealand|politics

Tram service takes Viaduct loop back to the future

01 Aug 05:30 PM
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Brian Rudman: Modest structure a bridge to the waterfront Aucklanders deserve

04 Aug 05:30 PM

Mr Lee will continue his training until he becomes a fully certified tram driver. Asked whether he held any other motorvehicle or motorcycle licences, he said: "I have a ship's radar maintenance certificate and a Master of Science degree.

"But don't worry, I'll be down there very early on Saturday morning to get some more practice runs in."

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