Veteran Labour MP Annette King lands job at Auckland Council, joins Watercare board

Labour Party stalwart Annette King has landed a job on Auckland Council.

The Super City is getting a distinctly Labour Party flavour with the appointment of former deputy leader and Health Minister Annette King to the board of Watercare.

King is the second senior Labour Party figure to be appointed to a council-controlled organisation since former Labour Party leader and Mt Roskill MP Phil Goff became Mayor of Auckland 11 months ago.

Former Finance Minister Sir Michael Cullen was appointed to the board of Auckland Transport in April.

King was hand-picked as a mentor and regular escort for new Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern at the general election.

Goff has made no secret of his desire to bring political nous to the boards of council organisations, like Auckland Transport, which is widely seen as a law unto itself and in need of a culture change.

It is understood that Cullen, who became chairman of NZ Post after serving as Deputy Prime Minister under Helen Clark, is expected to become chairman of Auckland Transport when Lester Levy's term expires in November next year.

A senior source said three other chairs will be replaced when their terms expire next year: Panuku Development Auckland chairman Richard Aitken, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) chairman David McConnell and Regional Facilities Auckland chairman Sir Don McKinnon.

King's appointment was made by the council's appointments and performance review committee on Monday. Todd Property managing director and former SkyCity boss Evan Davies has also been appointed to the board of Auckland Transport.

The appointments are due to be confirmed in the next couple of days.