Auckland Council elections: Phil Goff is Auckland Mayor for second term
Saturday, 12 October 2019
Phil Goff has retained the Auckland mayoralty, comfortably defeating his main challenger and one-time Labour caucus colleague John Tamihere.
Goff won with a margin of 155,957 to 70,000 votes, beating Tamihere and 19 other candidates.
The result compared with the 76,000 margin, with which Goff secured the mayoralty in 2016, over Vic Crone.
Goff came to the Auckland mayoralty in 2016 after 33 years as a Labour MP, cabinet minister and party leader.
**READ MORE:
* Who won the Stuff Auckland mayoral debate?
* Meet the Candidates: 'Imperfect' Auckland mayoral hopeful John Tamihere on his fiery campaign
* Auckland mayoral election: some media tips for candidates**
Speaking from the Kingslander pub in Auckland Goff told the crowd: 'The first priority is to build infrastructure. What we are doing to tackle climate change will be a big issue. It's a big issue for my generation and my children's generation
He added: 'The third area is the structure of council, the first policy I announced was a review of the CCOs. That will be one of my first tasks, getting a high powered group together to work with government. I want this city of ours to be world class, inclusive, and have an environment we protect, nurture and sustain.
'I believe we can make this city a fantastic place to live in and work in and enjoy. The councillors come from different backgrounds and perspectives-but my commitment is to work collegially and collectively to make sure this city of ours is a great city to live.'
He ran a low-key campaign based on continuing the progress made by the council in his first term, and made few new significant pledges.
Talking about being on the campaign trail against John Tamihere, Goff said: 'He worked hard and spent a lot of money. I regret the debate verged on the personal at times, I prefer to debate the issues not the individual.'
Tamihere had broken the traditional mayoral campaign mould, with a US presidential-style approach having a 'running mate', a prospective deputy, in veteran councillor and former National MP Christine Fletcher.
His hope had been to generate support in both left-leaning strongholds in the south and west, with Fletcher's role attracting voters in the more right-leaning parts of the city.
On working with councillors Goff told Stuff he doesn't know who the mix will be yet: 'My job is to pull together the disparate views of 21 councillors. I got overwhelming support for three budgets, supporting the direction I was taking council.'