Letter to Manukau – 18 June 2010

Through the very best and worst of times I remain ever humbled and proud to be the Mayor of our city of Manukau.

As some of you will know, I have been subjected to personal attacks from a number of fronts in recent weeks.

I think however, it is essential that as the Mayor of this city I assure the people of Manukau that we will see in the new Super City with integrity, dignity and mana intact.

This week I had to stand in our Council chamber and defend my integrity and there has been much comment about the emotional nature of my speech.

For any of you who have observed me speaking me publicly within our communities you will know that my style can sometimes be pretty animated and of course as the singing Mayor of Manukau, I'll often throw in a song or waiata at the end of my speech or in the middle if I feel like it and also for the young people I've been known on occasions to do a bit of freestyle rhyming to keep their attention and interest in my speeches.

On Tuesday night, I was emotional because, as I stood in the Chamber to speak, I looked at the faces of our former leaders hanging on the walls, and those sitting around the Chamber, many who had been representatives of our Council for many years.

I saw our Chief Executive Leigh Auton, who has been with our Council for more than 30 years, and the many senior officers and directors present, as well as some long time residents who attended to support.

I thought about the 45 years of history of Manukau, the leaders, Councillors and Board members and the thousands of Council officers who have worked with passion and commitment for how we and our Council have developed the Manukau way. I also felt that we have built a great City with tremendous pride and will leave as a legacy a wonderful base for future development and progress under the new Auckland Council and local boards.

I therefore want to assure our communities that the vast majority of our Council are totally united in the expectation that our Council should conclude its time with dignity and that we will ensure that the affairs of our Council are managed appropriately to its conclusion.

Whatever the future has for me, I am the Mayor of this City until 31 October.

I am focussed on delivering to our future generations a city they will be proud to inherit.

I want to acknowledge in particular our Chief Executive Officer Leigh Auton, and the staff of Manukau City Council who continue to deliver in extraordinarily difficult times. I want to finally acknowledge my wife, Shan, who has stood by me like a rock. Some of you will know that recently we managed to raise $170,000 from the Mayoress' Fundraising Ball for KidzFirst. She has been a wonderful support as we have carried out our duties as Mayor and Mayoress of our city. Without her by my side I would not be Mayor of this City.

Enjoy your week.

Len Brown
Mayor of Manukau

ENDS

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