Brown lauds family and Maori in valedictory speech

An emotional Len Brown has made his valedictory speech saying his family had survived a lot during his six years at the helm of Auckland.

After a long pause at the end of his speech Mr Brown said: “We survived a near-death experience (he suffered a major heart attack while delivering a speech at the Manukau Telstra Clear Stadium at the end of 2011) and we survived a near political death (Mr Brown’s two-year affair with Bevan Chung was revealed shortly after he was elected for the second time and he was censured by the council) and remain stronger for it.

“In many ways, I relish the opportunity of being with those in the community who live a more normal than the one I have had.”

Mr Brown says Auckland is now ready for change and he feels “bullish” and great about the city.

He particularly praised the “two Pennys” – deputy mayor Penny Hulse and finance committee chairwoman Penny Webster and the three chiefs of staff who have passed through his office. 

The retiring mayor, who was told by close advisers at the end of last year they would not back him for another mayoral tilt and decided to step down, says it was sad the Independent Maori Statutory Board was not present as it is not part of the governing body.

“As that board matures as a unique and new part of how the original people of this land are represented at this chamber, we have seen the fruits of the early flowering of this relationship and it has been a tough one.

“Chairman David Taipari and the members have done an outstanding job in transition and we now see in things such as the Maunga Authority the potential benefits the IMSB is starting to show but it will take time

“I know that the board and its inception continue to be subject of discussion and debate and I guess it will be forever but I rather suspect this model will sustain because the Maori people support it.”

Also leaving the council are Orakei councillor Cameron Brewer, North Shore councillor George Wood and Manukau councillor Arthur Anae. They have all served two terms along with Mr Brown.

Voting is more than halfway through for a new mayor and council and it is expected Labour’s Roskill MP Phil Goff will sweep into the mayoralty and the majority of sitting councillors will be elected.

Voter turnout has been better than the 35.5% of people who turned out at the last election.