Moving Auckland Forward

Hon John Banks QSO Mayor of Auckland City

4 August 2004

A sad day for the people of North Shore

“What a sad sight it would have been for the residents and businesspeople to witness their Mayor, George Sydney Wood, perform so poorly at today’s V8 hearing.

“In his submission to the commissioners he stated that he would ‘like to work in a spirit of consultation with councils’. My officials however tell me the mayor has been very difficult to make contact with and to seek an audience with,” said Mr Banks.

“To suggest that consultation has so far been ‘scant’ suggests at the very least that the mayor suffers from short-term memory loss. The mayor is very confused about the consultative process and continues to struggle with much of the detail.

“It is pathetic that George Sydney Wood told the hearing that ‘North Shore City Council has no position as to the merits or otherwise of hosting the V8 race itself.’

“How out of touch. My office phone has been running white hot from North Shore residents and businesspeople apologising for their mayor’s negativity and telling us to just get on with this exciting international event.

“The thing that disappoints me most is that privately Mr Wood tells people he supports it but then publicly he bags it.

“It is indeed a sad day for the people of North Shore when their leadership lacks so much enthusiasm and so little good will,” said Mr Banks.

ENDS

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