Banks' park deal approved

The Auckland City Council has backed a secret deal to sell Fisher Park Reserve in Mt Wellington to Coca-Cola Amatil for an undisclosed sum.

The deal was drawn up by former Mayor John Banks and chief executive Bryan Taylor.

One of the conditions was that Coca-Cola would stay silent over any objections it might have to Mr Banks' pet Eastern Highway project.

The council reneged on a promise to lease the reserve to a tennis academy, in favour of the Coca-Cola deal.