Mayor out of hospital after heart surgery

Manukau Mayor Len Brown has been discharged from hospital after major heart bypass surgery.

Mr Brown suffered a heart attack on May 31 and as recently as two weeks ago was in Middlemore Hospital's intensive care unit after developing post-surgery complications.

He said yesterday he was pleased to be back in familiar surroundings with family.

"My path to recovery had a setback a few weeks ago but I'm back on track now. I realise that I'm very fortunate to have come through to this point and I'm very grateful to many people."

He thanked staff at Auckland and Middlemore hospitals, St John Ambulance personnel and the Manukau City Council.

It is not clear when he will resume his mayoral duties but the council has granted the first-term mayor a six-month leave of absence to recover.