Prominent Aucklanders to have ear of big business

By Bernard Orsman

The Mayor of Auckland, Christine Fletcher, has missed a big chance to play Queen Bee to world leaders at Apec, after organisers pulled plans for a civic reception.

Instead of hobnobbing at the top table with cocktails at the Sky Tower, Mrs Fletcher and a guest list of prominent Aucklanders have been squeezed into a reception for chief executives the day before leaders arrive in Auckland.

Mrs Fletcher denied Auckland City was being downgraded to an also-ran at Apec, saying it was an "upgrading" and a glorious opportunity to host business luminaries of the calibre of the boss of General Motors at a Friday evening function at the Heritage Hotel.

"These are people we are looking to make investments in Auckland."

Plans for a cocktail party at the Sky Tower on Saturday evening were cancelled after Apec organisers advised the council that it clashed with another cocktail party being addressed by the Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, and that a lot of leaders and officials would be preparing for the main summit on Sunday.

Mrs Fletcher said the council had hoped as far back as 1996 to hold a civic reception for leaders but it had become clear that not only the leaders but their deputies would not attend and it was better to support events that would bring a benefit to the city.

Mrs Fletcher is going ahead with another function to host up to 300 members of the world media over a beer on Wednesday at the American Express NZ Cup Village. She will also put on an afternoon tea on Friday for a group of teenagers from Apec countries.

The chief executive reception will cost ratepayers $20,000 and the media bash $12,000, but the council put aside $90,000 to play hosts at Apec.