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Labour concerned over Auckland transport chairman's power

The newly appointed chairman of Auckland's transport agency has too much power, Labour MP Phil Twyford says.The heads of Auckland's six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) were announced today.The CCOs will start operating when the city's new unitary

NZPA
Mon, 30 Aug 2010

The newly appointed chairman of Auckland's transport agency has too much power, Labour MP Phil Twyford says.

The heads of Auckland's six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) were announced today.

The CCOs will start operating when the city's new unitary council is created through local body elections in October.

Mark Ford, the current chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency, will chair the transport CCO.

Mr Twyford said Mr Ford would have more power than the Mayor of the Auckland super city despite being unelected to his post.

"It is not right nor proper that one unelected bureaucrat -- appointed from Wellington -- who set up the super city and oversaw the appointments process for these boards, ends up getting perhaps the most powerful job."

He said transport was a critical issue for Aucklanders.

Power had been taken away from Auckland communities and given to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, Mr Twyford said.

The appointments should have been made by the new Auckland Council, he said.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said he welcomed the appointment of Mr Ford.

The transport CCO would replace the nine separate transport entities that exist across the city.

Mr Hide said the government was able to choose people who were the elite in their respective fields.

"In New Zealand we have a small but rich pool of talent, and these are people whose talents would be welcome anywhere in the world," he said.

"What is more, they are all Aucklanders."

Other key appointments were:

* Auckland Regional Facilities chairman, Sir Don McKinnon;

* Auckland Council Property chairman, Sir John Wells;

* Auckland Council Investments and Auckland International Airport chairman, Simon Allen;

* Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chairman, David McConnell;

* Auckland Waterfront Development Agency chairman, Bob Harvey.

Salaries for heads of CCOs range from $70,000-$105,000, and for directors from $35,000-$52,000.

NZPA
Mon, 30 Aug 2010
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Labour concerned over Auckland transport chairman's power
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