Wayne Brown takes charge

I can only admire Wayne Brown’s style as the new Mayor of Far North.  First of all we have his message to staff:

Promising “a massive cultural change”, he said staff were to “listen, ring back, help ratepayers, not hinder, look for solutions, not arguments”.

They were never to “insult, infuriate or demonise” ratepayers. Picking on the poor and disabled was not acceptable.

Apologies had to be made for stupid behaviour and mistakes – “and there have been plenty” – approvals should be sought rather than hearings, lawyers should be avoided, and plain English or Maori used where possible to inject “some special flavour” of the district.

Wayne Brown for King I say!

But then it gets even better:

Mr Brown, the outgoing Auckland District Health Board chairman and a Mangonui resident, scrapped all committees other than “a much-needed” audit and finance panel, which did not exist under the last council.

He scrapped every single committee!!  I wonder if in a year people will wonder what they ever did!

And then he looks at cost savings:

All council costs are to be reviewed to ensure they’re at least as low as in the private sector. All council meetings, both official and staff only, will be questioned for their “value” and more use made of “modern communications” to reduce staff, councillor and public travel.

Far North may end up with a Council which cuts rates!

After Wayne has had two terms up North, we should rotate him around the country!