Auckland’s Mayor, Wayne Brown, has been critical of Auckland Transport (AT) and its chief executive, Dean Kimpton. The two leaders recently had the chance to test drive Auckland’s first electric double-decker bus at the Māngere Bus Depot. This event provided an opportunity to assess the relationship between them.
Brown has been vocal about his disagreements with AT, particularly over the scrapping of the regional fuel tax and the resulting cuts to council projects. Despite claims that he doesn’t have the power to instruct AT, Brown insists he has the moral authority to do so. He said he gives them instructions on how he wants things run, and they have listened and understood.
Brown also stated that he wasn’t bluffing when he said projects like the final stage of the Eastern Busway would need to be cut due to the end of the fuel tax. He believes it’s unwise for AT not to listen to him, as he is the most voted for person in New Zealand.
When he ran for mayor, Brown called for AT’s board to resign. After the election, the chairperson of the transport organisation quit. Now, Brown wants AT to regain its social license, and he is pleased that passenger numbers are improving.
Kimpton, on the other hand, said he has the confidence of the mayor, despite their differences in communication style. He revealed they had recently discussed several important topics for Auckland, including the Government Policy Statement on land transport, the integrated transport plan, and the regional fuel tax.
AT was directed by Auckland Council to make $30 million worth of cuts last year, which led to the agency spending $6 million on staff redundancies and cutting 150 roles. Kimpton said he would be discussing his own role with AT’s board later this month. When asked if he would support Kimpton staying on, Brown said it was not his business, as he doesn’t have the authority to tell AT who they should employ.
