Hon. John Banks
Mayor for a Greater Auckland

4 October 2010

Media Statement

Banks to Create Honorary City Architect

Auckland Mayor John Banks says the new Auckland Council must have a focus on promoting a healthy and vibrant city with a strong culture and an active and diverse arts community.

Mayor Banks says the city he leads will be based around stunning architecture and design as well as a flourishing arts & culture sector.

“Early in my Mayoralty I will create a position of ‘Honorary City Architect’, someone who is able to provide the Mayor’s office with independent advice on design and architecture.

“Quality advice with fresh thinking and international perspectives will be welcome in my Mayoral office.”

Mayor Banks has today released his ‘Creative Auckland policy – encouraging arts, culture music and design’ on his website www.johnbanks.co.nz

Banks says he is dedicated to continuing his role as a champion for arts, culture and heritage.

“During my time in politics I’ve come to appreciate the value of our architectural and built heritage and I have put a lot of work into promoting an Auckland City wide accord on heritage through the ‘Plan Change 163’.

“I will support local boards that want to schedule local natural and built heritage, providing there is comprehensive consultation with the community.”

Along with the Honorary City Architect role, Banks will also appoint an independent art and culture policy advisor to the Mayoral office.

“This person will be tasked with overseeing the development of key cultural assets throughout Greater Auckland.

“I intend to take a region-wide approach to investment in visual arts, the mainstreets of Waiuku, Wellsford and Maraetai need to benefit just as much as the metropolitan centres.”

In his Creative Auckland policy Mayor Banks also commits to continuing major cultural events across Auckland including the Chinese Lantern Festival, Diwali, Pasifika and the Devonport Food and Wine Festival.

Mayor Banks says he’s committed to backing privately-run events too, such as the Orewa Half Marathon that currently struggles with funding from the local Council.

“These community-based festivals are critical to building local pride and community awareness.

“They come at a small cost to ratepayers but they provide a big return to the community and I believe we must really focus on helping them out.”

ENDS

For more information: www.johnbanks.co.nz

Attachments:
Creative_Auckland__FOR_RELEASE.doc
Creative_Auckland__FOR_RELEASE.pdf

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