Wayne Brown Rewards Trusted Councillors with Key Appointments
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has appointed councillors he relied on most last term to influential positions within the newly elected Auckland Council. These appointments reflect a largely non-partisan approach, drawing from various political backgrounds.
Notably, councillors who frequently had public disagreements with Mayor Brown were excluded from key roles.
Key Appointments
- Richard Hills, from North Shore, was reappointed as chairman of the Policy and Planning Committee.
- Julie Fairey, representing Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, took the deputy chair role of the same committee, succeeding Angela Dalton, who retired.
- Andy Baker, from Franklin, was reappointed as chairman of the Transport, Resilience, and Infrastructure Committee.
- Shane Henderson, from Waitākere, replaced Christine Fletcher (Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa) as deputy chair of this committee.
Committees of the Whole
Both committees are considered Mayor Brown’s significant “committees of the whole.” Their membership includes the mayor, all councillors, and two members of Houkura, the Independent Māori Statutory Board. The most important decisions and major debates usually take place during these meetings.
“Many of the big debates and most important decisions happen during their meetings.”
Photo caption: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown during the inauguration ceremony for the new Auckland Council, held at Auckland Town Hall on October 31. Photo / Dean Purcell
Summary: Mayor Wayne Brown secured influence in Auckland Council by appointing trusted councillors to leading committee roles, sidelining those with whom he had public conflicts.