Due diligence on Super City agency frontrunner

Mark Ford. Photo / Supplied

Mark Ford, chief executive of the region's water wholesaler Watercare Services, is the frontrunner to chair the agency to design Auckland's Super City.

The appointment of the five-member Auckland Transition Agency was put on hold on Monday by the Cabinet after the fallout from the appointment of Christine Rankin to the Families Commission.

With Prime Minister John Key promising due dilligence on all appointments, the Herald examines Mr Ford's credentials.

PERSONAL

Age 59. Born in the United Kingdom. Came to New Zealand at the age of 12. Educated at Selwyn College and University of Auckland.

EXPERIENCE

Watercare chief executive since 1994. Auckland Regional Services Trust chief executive (1992-1994), Forestry Corporation chief executive and Timberlands managing director (1987-1992), management positions with Phillips Petroleum in Europe and North America before 1987.

Currently chairman of Auckland Regional Transport Authority, deputy chairman of New Zealand Sustainable Business Council, former Ports of Auckland director and former chairman of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

Overseen several major infrastructure projects at Watercare, including the upgrade of the Mangere sewage plant, Waikato water pipeline and the nearly completed burying of the ageing sewer line across Hobson Bay. Has a strong management style.

Known to be a stickler for punctuality. Various sources have described the culture at Watercare as "rigid" and "blokey".

PROS AND CONS

As Watercare chief executive and Auckland Regional Transport Authority chairman, he has wide knowledge of local government in Auckland. Even if he resigns these posts, there will still be those who say he is not "independent" and capable of implementing his own plans for a single water company. An anonymous smear campaign says he has a "secret transition plan" for the water industry with overtones of privatisation.

Ford likes to keep a low public profile, but the job of the agency will be public and controversial - and require strong communication skills from the leadership.

There is also the issue of how much he will be paid. At present, he is the highest paid local government official in Auckland, making between $560,000 - $570,000 a year.