Tommy Parker has resigned from the board of Auckland Transport. Photo / Michael Craig
Tommy Parker has resigned from the board of Auckland Transport. Photo / Michael Craig
The head of Auckland’s light rail project has quit the board of Auckland Transport (AT), in the latest departure since Wayne Brown became mayor.
Tommy Parker revealed today he had resigned from Auckland Transport’s board.
He is the chief executive of the Auckland Light Rail project.
“I am passionate about transport and delivering great outcomes to benefit Auckland and wider New Zealand. I am proud of the contributions I have made as a board member serving the people of Auckland,” Parker said today.
“My decision to resign now gives me the opportunity to focus on progressing the successful delivery of a light rail project that is vital for Auckland.
“I am leading a world-class team of experts on the planning and design phase of the project and their work, together with the establishment of Auckland Light Rail Ltd as an independent Crown company, are combining to build momentum for a project that will make our city an even greater place to call home.”
Tommy Parker has resigned from the Auckland Transport board. Photo / Supplied
Parker’s departure follows the new mayor calling for the board of Auckland Transport to resign.
In a statement released by his media team this afternoon, Brown said Parker had done the right thing.
“I have been advised that Tommy made a strong and very professional contribution to the current incarnation of the AT Board and I thank him for his service,” Brown said.
“It speaks well of Tommy’s integrity that he has decided to focus on his role at Auckland Light Rail Limited (ALR Ltd) and I wish him well for his future executive and governance career, including in the Auckland Council family.”
The board’s chairwoman Adrienne Young-Cooper quit the role the day Brown was elected to office.
The new mayor has already told AT he wants to see a “complete change in approach”, in a written directive to acting AT chairman Wayne Donnelly last month.
“You appear to have been focused on changing how Aucklanders live, using transport policy and services as a tool,” Brown said.
“Instead, AT must seek to deeply understand how Aucklanders actually live now, how they want to live in the future, and deliver transport services that support those aspirations.”
