Waitakere councillor Penny Hulse has been confirmed as Deputy Mayor of Auckland for a second term.
Mayor Len Brown said Hulse had shown "remarkable and positive leadership" in the first of the Auckland "Supercity" Council and he was delighted she had agreed to continue as his deputy.
In the first term Hulse took the leading role in the arduous process of pulling together the first region-wide Auckland Unitary Plan, which was recently notified.
She was also prominent in the at-times testy exchanges between the Auckland Council and the Government, which culminated in the signing of the Auckland Housing Accord through which it is aimed to fast-track building of 39,000 houses in the region over the next three years.
Brown said Hulse had led "some of the most important aspects of our work programme" in the first three years of Auckland Council.
"She was an impressive chair of the Auckland Plan Committee and successfully led the challenging Unitary Plan process. Penny has extensive political experience as a long-term Waitakere City councillor and deputy mayor, and as a senior member of the first Auckland Council. She is committed to working across the political spectrum to achieve the best for Auckland and its people."
Hulse said it was a "joy and a privilege" to work on behalf of the West and all of Auckland.
"My focus for this next term continues to be strengthening the partnerships we have developed with our communities, and bringing the plans for our city to life.
"It’s an honour to be the Deputy Mayor of Auckland and I look forward to working alongside the Mayor and my fellow councillors and local board members."
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.