Website launch

http://www.johnbanksformayor.com.

Speech notes: Hon John Banks QSO Mecca Café – The Chancery 11.00am, Friday 23 July 2004

It is an honour and privilege to be the Mayor of this great city.

It has been a huge commitment but I have enjoyed the past three years.

Three years ago I set a number of goals. I pledged to be Auckland’s number one advocate. I pledged to move our transport infrastructure towards completion, and I said I would represent Auckland City in the best interests of every citizen.

Thank you to my family, my council colleagues, and many people for their unconditional support.

Election contests are never straight-forward and are never easy. This is my 10th election and I take nothing for granted.

This morning my nomination form will be lodged.

Over the next 78 days I will be standing up for what I believe in… open and honestly campaigning hard to win the hearts and minds of the voters.

My pledge for Auckland is:

100% commitment to our city.

Completing the motorway network

World-class public transport

Sound and sensible financial management

Investment growth, jobs and confidence

A clean safe, vibrant city

Protecting our heritage and environment

My mayoralty will stand or fall on the level of support I get at this election to advance motorway network completion, including the Eastern Transport Corridor and world-class public transport.

To date, I am the only candidate who stands for both motorway network completion and a fully integrated world-class public transport system. The voters have a stark choice on this key policy platform.

The completion of economic infrastructure is critical to Auckland becoming a truly global city. That is my vision for this great city of sails.

This Auckland City Council has achieved more than any other Auckland City Council in living memory and I challenge anybody to debate that with me anywhere and at anytime.

I am going to run a vigorous and upbeat campaign. Key to my campaign this election is our website: www.johnbanksformayor.com. It is a cutting edge resource and via my blog you will all be able to follow the campaign as it unfolds.

Thanks this morning to Chris and his team here at the Mecca café in Chancery

Thanks to Steve Simms from Reach Wireless for providing the laptops and technology to launch this website.

Thanks to Peter Magness from Magness Sound.

I will now ask Kevin Findlater of Tonic, who has been instrumental in creating this website, to take you through it.

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