National’s Brown problem

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, February 2nd, 2023 - 71 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, chris hipkins, Christopher Luxon, leadership, Politics, polls, supercity - Tags:

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is providing National strategists with a rather large headache.

He was elected on the basis of being Mr Fixit, he ran a policy platform that was really light and during the campaign he was relentlessly negative.  He also suggested his professional and corporate experience meant that he was well suited for the job of running the country’s biggest city.

This style is very similar to that presented by “I used to run an airline” Christopher Luxon.

Luxon’s relentless negativity is legend.  Yesterday he complained that schools should have been opened the day before, even though no students were actually due to be at school that day.

Every statement he makes is negative

As for professional and corporate experience being essential leadership qualities the past week would suggest that other skills may be more important.

Like the ability to communicate.  As Auckland was deluged with a storm the likes of which have not been seen in recorded history the Mayor was eerily silent.  Progressive Councillors and MPs filled in the void with helpful news but the failure to front this is startling.

And as news has emerged it appears that being angry does not mean that you are effective.  Brown complained that he had to cancel his tennis match because of the “drongos” in the media.  He told a Herald reporter not to f@$k with him.  He then tried to gag councillors and suggested that he and deputy mayor Desley Simpson should be the one voice for Council.  This suggestion has not gone down well.

What is most startling is Brown’s complete lack of compassion.  There are people out there who are really hurting.  Having sympathetic and supportive messages from on high really help in these situations.  But Brown has shown no such compassion.  His aggressive defence of his position is Trumpian.

Imagine Jacinda Ardern in this situation.  She would have fronted this crisis immediately, communicated effectively and displayed compassion for those effected.  In a crisis these are really important leadership qualities.

National’s problem is that people, particularly Aucklanders, will judge his leadership credentials by Brown’s performance.  And many of them will decide that they do not want to risk an angry relentlessly negative corporate sort from taking over.

This perception is already evident in Luxon’s trust rating.  The latest Reid Research poll result suggests that most kiwis trust Hipkins, and his trust ranking has a net positive rating of 26%.  Luxon however is not trusted.  Only 36.9% of those polled state they do not trust him while 43.8% state they do not trust him.

Paula Bennett has suggested that in Wayne Brown Aucklanders have got what they voted for.  National will be afraid that it has got what it invested in.  And that its investment is turning into a liability.

71 comments on “National’s Brown problem ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ad 1
    2 February 2023 at 9:47 am

    Last Mayor who got stuff done was Len Brown.

    Wood as de facto Mayor is optics-perfect.

    • Jimmy 1.1
      2 February 2023 at 10:20 am

      He certainly got stuff done in the Ngāti Whātua boardroom!

      Unfortunately after the affair was exposed he pretty much became a lame duck mayor.

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        2 February 2023 at 11:14 am

        Swot up on that set up perhaps–Luigi Wewege, Cameron Slater, Bevan Chuang, and the Dirty Politics modus operandi.

        Len was a good person, the entitled right however could never forgive a guy from South Auckland trashing Banksie.

        • Ghostwhowalksnz 1.1.1.1
          2 February 2023 at 12:25 pm

          Len Brown was a Howick based practice solicitor and lived in one of South Aucklands most expensive suburbs

          No 'lived in the hood' from him. I voted for him because in general he had a better vision for the city.

          perhaps you only know 'South Auckland' as an epithet rather than the diverse area it is

          • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1.1.1
            2 February 2023 at 1:28 pm

            Thank you for the polite enquiry Ghost.

            I worked in the South Auckland car plants for many years, mainly Nissan at Roscommon Rd Wiri. Went to all the others at various times as a union delegate. One of my workmates dad was Deputy Mayor of Manukau City. I socialised with Black Power members in Otara and bought V8s from them, drank at the St George in Papatoetoe.

            So I have some idea of South Auckland.

            • Ghostwhowalksnz 1.1.1.1.1.1
              2 February 2023 at 3:53 pm

              Thanks for that . Clearly Len Brown didnt come from that type of life.

              • Ghostwhowalksnz …
                2 February 2023 at 5:30 pm

                Just reminiscing, but it was a different era, I used to drink at Duke of Wellington when worked nearby but I didnt work in factory environment. That had Black Power there too but as you would know its not like what many people would think

                • Tiger Mountain …
                  2 February 2023 at 5:40 pm

                  “The past is a different country” as the quote goes. The boss installed a huge walk in chiller in the Nissan Cafeteria loaded to the gunwales with cold beer, and a wheel mounted spirit rack for Friday arvo drinks which went much later than that.

                  At Xmas breakup around 9am a flatbed truck arrived and a pallet of mixed drinks was forklifted to each Dept. then a shared lunch with free drinks was held and everyone given a frozen turkey to take home!

                  The next day overtime rates were paid to people that came to basically finish the mini tanker of beer off! and do some basic site tidy ups and turn off the air and lock the joint up etc. etc. Who would believe it these days.

                  I asked my Black Power mate who respected my union activity, why he invited me, the sole pākehā, anticipating him saying “to show we are not so bad”, but he actually said “I wanted to show the members not all honkys are bad”.

          • Incognito 1.1.1.1.2
            2 February 2023 at 6:00 pm

            Len Brown was hardly born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

            https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/they-were-generous-days/SU76AN2WSZ4EL2NHYV7HTVV4ZE

      • bwaghorn 1.1.2
        2 February 2023 at 12:16 pm

        You should get a job ar pug farm ,you appear to be a qualified muck raker.

    • Maurice 1.2
      2 February 2023 at 1:17 pm

      At least Wood now de facto mayor has some experience at cleaning up rivers of filth!

      • Stuart Munro 1.2.1
        2 February 2023 at 4:31 pm

        Wood has some important associate ministries – if he can handle them well he'll be clued up and ready if & when Chris Hipkins decides to pass the baton.

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    2 February 2023 at 9:56 am

    Some people’s innards turn to water when “bring in the Commissioners” as Labour did in Tauranga, is uttered. And that is the debate really as others have said here–hang Brown out to dry for his term, or remove him promptly now?

    “Luxury Luxon” has done it to himself with that little Te Puke/Hawaii social media fiasco and his ongoing blunder of the day approach.

  3. Mac1 3
    2 February 2023 at 10:01 am

    "Paula Bennett has suggested that in Wayne Brown Aucklanders have got what they voted for."

    What could also be said is that Aucklanders got what they did not vote for, in two ways.

    Misrepresentation of what Brown stood for, deliberate or otherwise. Misrepresentation of what Collins stood for, again deliberate or otherwise. Misrepresentation by the candidates themselves, and by their handlers/PR; by the media; by social media.

    And that majority of Aucklanders who chose not to vote did not give themselves even the chance to get or not get what they wanted.

    Never believe someone who says "don't vote it only encourages them" or some version of voting aversion. Look at who's saying it. What do they get out of it?

    In terms of the Left- it loses because those with a big stake in the 'whose governing' game are of the Right. They voted, of course. Power is power.

    • gsays 3.1
      2 February 2023 at 10:22 am

      I essentially agree with all you've said.

      The old left/right split is where things get a bit vague. Collins was attractive for some from the left. Similarly others, would have struggled to vote for him because of some of his moral views.

      Voter apathy and disengagement are the two of the biggest barriers for progress. That and 'the lefts' desire for a politically perfect candidate.

    • George 3.2
      2 February 2023 at 11:47 pm

      Interestingly I was told today by a random and unrelated couple of people who voted for Wayne that they are not impressed and hope he manages to redeem himself. These are people from low income backgrounds. I hardly think he's on their side. But if you signal danger often enough people think it's real and that you are the solution. Also interesting is you get what you wish for… and Waynie wanted a city that needed “fixing” and now he’s got just that.

  4. cathy-O 4
    2 February 2023 at 10:29 am

    "As for professional and corporate experience being essential leadership qualities the past week would suggest that other skills may be more important."

    there is this ongoing conviction among business leaders that running a country is like running a business.

    nothing could be further from the truth.

    the aim of a business it to make profits for it's shareholders

    a country is society, the aim is to provide services for citizens and maintain the cohesion of the community.

    services for citizens include things like water, power, communications etc, which is why those services should never be privatised.

    other things like the arts and entertainments do not have survival value but are what gives value to survival.

  5. Christine 5
    2 February 2023 at 10:39 am

    The BBC has efeso Collins on to comment on the flooding

  6. Ghostwhowalksnz 6
    2 February 2023 at 12:19 pm

    Councillors werent 'gagged' . It was request for the Mayor to be the single voice but doesnt prevent them speaking of course

    This is actually what the job description is

    https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/mayor-of-auckland/Pages/mayors-responsibilities.aspx

    The mayor’s responsibilities include:

    • promoting a vision for Auckland
    • providing leadership to achieve the vision
    • leading the development of council plans, policies and budgets
    • ensuring effective engagement between Auckland Council and Aucklanders.

    The actual wording from Brown was

    "To ensure that all communications remain clear and consistent, we need to speak with one voice,” said Brown in his Wednesday afternoon email.

    “For that reason, I ask that it be left to myself and the Deputy Mayor to lead public communications on regional matters.”

    Ask , not command !

    • That_guy 6.1
      2 February 2023 at 1:21 pm

      Please. His communication was either nonexistent or inadequate, various people (who were more competent, compassionate and timely) stepped in to fill a gaping void.

      An unavoidable consequence of that is: Brown gets shown up. He doesn't like being shown up.

      So he's attempting to shut those people up, not because it's going to result in better comms, but because they make him look bad.

      That's all.

    • Robert Guyton 6.2
      2 February 2023 at 1:25 pm

      If it's the mayor's responsibility to speak for the council, why does he include his deputy in his "ask"?

      • Maurice 6.2.1
        2 February 2023 at 1:35 pm

        Trying to be kind, inclusive and a bit harried?

      • Stephen D 6.2.2
        2 February 2023 at 2:07 pm

        Judging by the way she led him out of that press conference, she may well be his caregiver.

        • woodart 6.2.2.1
          2 February 2023 at 2:34 pm

          yep. correct stephen D. definitley gives the impression of being caregiver-minder-controller.as she is married to nat party president?, the links back to the nats are very visible. something that gerry brownlie was obviously told to blur.

          • Ghostwhowalksnz 6.2.2.1.1
            2 February 2023 at 3:51 pm

            No they arent . The national party front group CR Auckland endorsed another candidate , many MPs supported a different person again Leo Molloy

            Browns period in government appointed roles was during the Clark years not Nationals time . I dont think he got any board appointments from the Key English years

            Thats the reality , which evidence do you have apart from guess work ?

            • Thinker 6.2.2.1.1.1
              2 February 2023 at 4:05 pm

              https://www.c-r.org.nz/tags/viv_beck

              Just for you, BoastWhoTalksNZ

              • Ghostwhowalksnz …
                3 February 2023 at 7:15 am

                But she was endorsed by the CR not Brown

                "Communities and Residents (C&R) is proud to endorse Auckland mayoral candidate Viv Beck in the 2022 Auckland Local Elections, C&R President Kit Parkinson says.

                “Viv is the only centre-right candidate in the mayoral race and has the leadership skills and experience to deliver the best results for Aucklanders."

            • woodart 6.2.2.1.1.2
              2 February 2023 at 4:30 pm

              c+r may have endorsed someone else, and some nat m.p.s may have endorsed another candidate, but for both of those candidates to suddenly pull the plug , is unheard of in auck city mayoral elections. its almost as if they all had a cup of tea together. when did the last c+r mayoral candidate walk the plank ,so late in the election.?if it looks like a stitchup, smells like a dead stitchup, etc.

              • Thinker …
                2 February 2023 at 5:22 pm

                Remember the Maine!

                😉

              • Graeme …
                2 February 2023 at 7:35 pm

                Looking back on the Auckland mayoralty campaign it resembles a Russian style human wave assault on the lone left candidate. One falls and another came over the top.

                I wonder if Wayne Brown was the intended outcome or unfortunately the one in front on the day.

                • roblogic …
                  2 February 2023 at 9:11 pm

                  WB got the last minute big endorsement from the big end of town and he focused on the groups more likely to actually turn out and vote.

                  Collins' campaign was unorthodox and tried to activate the vote from the poorer end of town, but it was probably a combination of disconnection and anti-Labour sentiment that saw him outgunned.

                  IMO the Auckland election was a proxy for the general election and people sick of Jacinda were not interested in voting for her mate Efeso.

                  • Graeme …
                    2 February 2023 at 9:19 pm

                    WB got the last minute big endorsement from the big end of town

                    From down here that looks like he wasn't the first choice and panic that the guy from the little end of town might pull it off.

                    Still doesn't say who the big end's first choice was .

                    • roblogic …
                      2 February 2023 at 9:28 pm

                      Initially Viv Beck, then Leo Molloy, but they both screwed up in one way or another, so Hooton's sockpuppet Brown got the nod.

                      I thought Craig Lord was pretty good… would have ranked him just behind Efeso as the most capable contender.

                    • Thinker …
                      2 February 2023 at 9:52 pm

                      Maybe just see which one falls behind, drop them, then repeat the process.

                      Not sure whether it was done like that but it would have been a clever person who thought it up.

                      They say the same about the US elections – that the left wing plutocrats select who will run for the Democrats, the right wing plutocrats for the Republicans. Then the proles get to choose which of the plutocrats' people they like the best.

              • Incognito …
                2 February 2023 at 9:42 pm

                Viv Beck withdrew the day voting opened and her name remained on the ballot list. It was a shambles unless it wasn’t …

          • Incognito 6.2.2.1.2
            2 February 2023 at 9:34 pm

            Peter Goodfellow stepped down as President of the National Party in August last year, which so happened to be before the Local Elections.

        • Maurice 6.2.2.2
          2 February 2023 at 4:04 pm

          As I saw it she led him away to prevent him punching a reporter!

      • Mike the Lefty 6.2.3
        3 February 2023 at 7:35 am

        He needs his chief spin doctor handy.

  7. Peter 7
    2 February 2023 at 2:29 pm

    I seldom subject myself to listening to Newstalkzb in Auckland. I can imagine though the hosts on there who saw Brown as the best thing since sliced bread, batting for him.

    'Appearances,' manna for politicians, are like to be shunned. "It isn't about appearances, it's what gets done. Don't judge the Mayor on some media issues in the terrible circumstances so early in his tenure," will likely be the tone.

    Collins would have been crucified on that radio for the same performance. And Goff.

    Anyone know which morning and what time the Hosking / Brown weekly interview is?

  8. newsense 8
    2 February 2023 at 3:30 pm

    Chris Luxon has a few issues of his own.

    I can’t think of a more nonsensical statement than climate change policy being ‘a New Zealand issue and not a political issue.’ and that’s why they’d work with the government on it.

    Climate change is an immensely political issue, it’s intensely local and global.

    But you have to assume it’s a workshopped and focus grouped line. God help us all. And those with a house in Ranui.

  9. ianmac 9
    2 February 2023 at 4:29 pm

    Mr Brown reported this morning that from his inside knowledge he was able to inform the Emergency Services that 200 high rise houses had broken lifts which had isolated the elderly.

    What happened to the 200 broken lifts? The Services seemed a bit puzzled.

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 9.1
      3 February 2023 at 7:12 am

      'A spokesperson for the high-profile elevator company, Otis, confirmed they are responding to a large number of lifts that are currently shut down across the city.'

      'Managing director of Schindler Lifts, Karen Papps, said they were also in contact with Emergency Services and assisting in fixing the elevators.'

      link

      So its true . But haters got to hate

  10. bwaghorn 10
    2 February 2023 at 8:52 pm

    If it's brown flush it down 😉

    • roblogic 10.1
      2 February 2023 at 10:14 pm

      In a flood situation flushing doesn't seem to work. The Brown problem isn't going to float away anytime soon

    • Thinker 10.2
      3 February 2023 at 6:57 am

      While Brown is seen as a candidate of the right, or at least spouting similar mantras (cut services, save rates/taxes), he is exactly where the left needs him, IMO.

      [Stick to your approved e-mail address, thanks – Incognito]

  11. Ghostwhowalksnz 11
    3 February 2023 at 7:09 am

    Actual email Brown sent to councillors where hes accused of gagging councillors

    link

    To ensure that all communications remain clear and consistent, we need to speak with one voice. For that reason, I ask that it be left to myself and the Deputy Mayor to lead public communications on regional matters.

    That said, I strongly encourage you all to continue talking publicly about what’s happening in your local communities – indeed, it’s essential that you continue to do this.

    It was a journo beatup of the worst kind instead- who knew the usual supsects could be capable of it- who left out the part saying councillors should talk about their local areas and the regional issues left to the Mayor and deputy

  12. PsyclingLeft.Always 12
    3 February 2023 at 8:21 am

    And…again, Its all about Mr "Buckets" Brown…

    “Knackered at the end of the day, I get home after working from 5am till midnight and have to climb 16 storeys, because my lift isn’t working.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300797537/elderly-isolated-in-apartment-buildings-as-more-than-200-lifts-out-brown-says

    Its becoming…kinda Pythonesque surreal. Did he…used to live in hole in't road ?…. : )

    • Mac1 12.1
      3 February 2023 at 8:36 am

      "You had lift? Luxury! In my day we lived on thirteenth floor and and had to stand in bucket and pull ourselves up with rope. Going down was faster, though it did help to wear gloves…. aye, and bucket was handy for three waters and all."

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 12.2
      3 February 2023 at 8:38 am

      Theres around 200 other lifts in Auckland apartment buildings that could be the same

      Thats was Browns original point

  13. Tiger Mountain 13
    3 February 2023 at 8:47 am

    Classic absurdist comedy “You think you are hard done by”…I walked to school every day, but it was so far that when I reached home I had a glass of water, and started walking back again…I used to tell my son when he complained about his barely 5 min walk to school.

    “Buckets” may feel hard done by at the moment, but he has certainly doled it out to many others over the years.

    • Mac1 13.1
      3 February 2023 at 10:11 am

      Filbert Bayi became the great runner he was by having to run 8 miles (13 km) to school and back as a boy in Tanzania. He lived in a village near Arusha, a town at an altitude of 4500 feet (1300m). Let's remember these stories and outcomes when we drive out kids to school in our air-conditioned ICE SUV. Luxury indeed! And foolishness, but then they often go together.

      • Tiger Mountain 13.1.1
        3 February 2023 at 12:23 pm

        I always walked to school, 1.5 miles for secondary, and rode bikes as a young teen, with Auckland friends from Mt Eden to Wiri and back to watch automotive drag racing at Kerrs Road. Jeez could not imagine doing that now!

  14. rrm 14
    3 February 2023 at 9:24 am

    Wayne Brown's been the mayor of Auckland for about 5 minutes, after NINE YEARS OF NEGLECT under a revolving door of successive Labour Party Mayors.

    When somebody stole Nicky Hager's private e mails that was DIRTY POLITICS but when somebody published Wayne Brown's private messages that's just different.

    Watching how the media has behaved this week has been…. enlightening.

    [Explain how you calculated 9 years of successive Labour Party Mayors in Auckland.

    Provide data to support you claim that they were Labour Party Mayors.

    Provide data to support your claim that somebody stole Nicky Hager’s private e-mails.

    It has been enlightening to see how you behave here on TS. I put you in Pre-Mod and I know you won’t give a shit but if you don’t come up with a satisfactory response to this moderation you will be taken by the arm and led out of this forum for at least a year – Incognito]

    • Drowsy M. Kram 14.1
      3 February 2023 at 1:22 pm

      Watching how the media has behaved this week has been…. enlightening.

      Yes, they've done their job. Not that I learned anything new about Mayor 'Flush It Down' Brown and his sensitivity to particular publicity – if he had any sense he'd clam up now.

      Drongo-gate continues for another day with the Herald reporting that Auckland’s mayor has been caught out using the slang term for a second time.
      https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/03-02-2023/a-second-wayne-brown-drongo-message-emerges

      Drongo-gate laugh

      And just when are the Nats going to repudiate “DIRTY POLITICS” anyway?

      Robbie Burton on Nicky Hager:
      "It says everything about Nicky’s extraordinary dedication and research skills, quite apart from his courage, that despite the endless vitriol from his detractors, we have never ended up in court over one of his books – the passage of time has always revealed the accuracy of his work. Consequently, my trust in him is absolute. His most powerful weapon, and one that lies behind everything he does, is his integrity. His sole motivation is to make the world a better place, and money and power simply do not matter to him. In my view he is a national treasure."

      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/the-terror-of-publishing-nicky-hager

    • roblogic 14.2
      3 February 2023 at 1:26 pm

      Is that you Wayne? Got any facts to share, or just delusional opinion?

      Nobody stole Hager's emails. The Police raided his place and took all his computer gear.

      Hager's book, and the revelations about Brown, were leaks in the public interest.

    • Incognito 14.3
      3 February 2023 at 8:38 pm

      Mod note

  15. Thinker 15
    3 February 2023 at 1:48 pm

    "He also suggested his professional and corporate experience meant that he was well suited for the job of running the country’s biggest city."

    …and, based on regarding Auckland City as an incorporation, he quickly made the city's ratepayers and residents redundant."

  16. Weasel 16
    5 February 2023 at 5:31 pm

    Incapability "Drongo" Brown is Labour's most potent weapon for winning this year's election. He should be given as much voice (rope) as possible so people know what they are getting when they vote for a cost-cutting fixer.

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.