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Outgoing major Len Brown has been largely praised by CEOs for bringing together an amalgamated Auckland, passing the Auckland Unitary Plan, pushing rail to the forefront of a solution for Auckland's transport, and persevering with the City Rail Link in the face of central government opposition.
• The CEO of an Auckland Central law firm says "a big tick to Brown for persevering with the Rail Loop project in the face of central government opposition and playing a big role in getting it under way. That will be his legacy."
• "Despite his shortcomings he has been a force in helping to bring together Auckland," says Joanna Perry, non-executive director for several large New Zealand businesses. "We are way better off with the amalgamated Auckland than we were before."