Andy Baker, from Franklin, has been reappointed as chairman of the transport, resilience and infrastructure committee.
The deputy position was held last term by Christine Fletcher from Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa. Fletcher has lost that job in favour of Shane Henderson from Waitākere.
These two committees are Brown’s big “committees of the whole”. Their membership includes the mayor, all councillors and two members of Houkura, the Independent Māori Statutory Board. Many of the big debates and most important decisions happen during their meetings.
“All chair positions in committees have been given to councillors who have demonstrated significant leadership and collaboration capabilities last term,” Brown said today.
“Transport reform and a new plan for housing intensification mean we have some decisions ahead that will have a huge impact on how and where people live.
“I’m glad to have councillor Andy Baker and councillor Richard Hills chairing those committees. I have positioned councillors to make the most of their skills and experience. I’ve thought very carefully about getting the knowledge in the right places.”
Councillor Andy Baker (right) leaving the council inauguration ceremony in the town hall last month with councillor Bo Burns. Photo / Dean Purcell
In other important transport roles, Brown is recommending to the council that it reappoint Maurice Williamson of Howick to the board of Auckland Transport, with Henderson joining him to replace Chris Darby, who has retired.
And for the three council appointments to the new Auckland Regional Transport Committee, Brown is recommending Baker, Williamson and Henderson.
Brown appointed Mike Lee of Waitematā to the Auckland Transport board last term, but then removed him. Lee does not have any transport responsibilities at the start of the first term. Lee has retained his role chairing the Auckland Domain committee.
Brown has also ignored the appeal of Dalton last term, that women should not be excluded from transport roles. Her argument was that most public transport users are women, and their transport needs are often different from men’s.
Brown said today that he wanted a forward-focused council.
“Finishing the fix in transport and housing and other infrastructure bits and pieces means we will have a more physically resilient region,” he said. “But we must also have a greater focus on strengthening the financial resilience of our future.”
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, from Ōrākei, has been reappointed to chair the value for money committee, a position from which she oversaw savings of $600 million during the last term.
Her deputy is new councillor Victoria Short, from Albany.
Greg Sayers from Rodney has been reappointed chairman of the budget committtee. It is also a committee of the whole, but it meets only a couple of times a year. The council also has dozens of budget-related workshops, which he will also chair. Williamson is his deputy, replacing Henderson.
Among the mayor’s more outspoken critics, John Watson of Albany has lost the deputy chairmanship of the audit and risk committee.
Councillor John Watson making the hang loose sign above Wayne Brown at their swearing in ceremony last month. Photo / Dean Purcell
Alf Filipaina of Manukau, also a frequent critic of the mayor, has not been given any major roles, but he does become chair of the civil defence and emergency management committee.
In what is thought to be a first, the Houkura chair has been appointed to a leadership role on a council committee. David Taipari will be the deputy chairman of the appointments and review committee, with Manurewa-Papakura’s Daniel Newman in the chair.
Fairey replaces Dalton as chair of the community committee, which oversees grants to sporting, cultural and other community groups. Both Waitākere councillors, Henderson and Ken Turner, have been appointed to the new Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Forum. Whau’s Sarah Paterson-Hamlin takes on the chief councillor role with the council’s community advisory panels.
The CCO direction and oversight committee has been abolished, now that Brown and the council have reduced the independent scope of the “council-controlled organisations”.
The base salary of a councillor is $121,319. Those chairing a committee of the whole receive $158,819, and their deputies $148,120. Chairs of smaller committees are paid $143,509.
The mayor’s salary is $318,616.
Simon Wilson is an award-winning senior writer covering politics, the climate crisis, transport, housing, urban design and social issues, with a focus on Auckland. He joined the Herald in 2018.