Transport chiefs spoil Brown's big day

Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The serious business of the Super City got off to a patchy start yesterday.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown should be well pleased with the first proper meeting of the Auckland Council, which he ran with precision and political skill.

But the shine was taken off his day when, across town, the board of the mega-transport council-controlled organisation met behind closed doors.

In a tersely worded statement, Auckland Transport said it was obliged by law to hold public meetings only twice a year, adding "today's meeting - the first of the new board - is not open".

The board, under the chairmanship of Mark Ford, later changed its tune and decided it would open its doors to the public in future.

This follows preliminary talks between Mr Brown and the chairs of the seven council controlled organisations (CCOS) about upholding his election promise to open all CCO meetings to public scrutiny.

Sources close to Mr Brown said if the unelected directors of the CCOs do not toe the line, heads could roll.

One of the powers of the Auckland Council is the ability to sack board directors for whatever reason. It is not an option Mr Brown wants to use, but it is part of his arsenal to keep the CCOs in line.

At the Auckland Town Hall, Mr Brown was clear and assured in the chair, making firm rulings when necessary and being flexible at other times.

Councillors heeded his calls, although it took a ton of self-discipline from the combustible Cathy Casey when Mr Brown rejected a deputation from the St Lukes Community Association on the hot topic of the day.

This was a hospital pass inherited from the former Auckland City Council over Westfield's private plan change to create the country's largest shopping mall by extending St Lukes in a suburban neighbourhood.

For the mayor, it was a straightforward issue of being fair and following due process, which meant approving the recommendations of independent commissioners for the mall extensions to go ahead.

As a sweetener, he promised mediation between the multinational mall owner and unhappy locals to find a better community outcome.

This stand put Mr Brown offside with his natural allies on the left - who called it a bad decision and a bad signal for the new council - but drew praise from right-leaning councillors, including Citizens & Ratepayers.

Fortuitously, it was a chance for Mr Brown to show he is not a political lacky of the left and can indeed work across the political aisle.