Hucker's workload up for discussion after illness

Auckland City deputy mayor Dr Bruce Hucker returned to work yesterday after being taken ill 18 days ago suffering from exhaustion.

The 61-year-old City Vision leader said he had been cleared to return to work and was feeling fine after resting at his Freemans Bay home.

Dr Hucker, who was taken to hospital on September 30 and underwent medical tests, declined to say what, if any, changes he would make to his enormous workload, saying it was a matter for the council.

His jobs include chairing council and regional committees, a hands-on role in all the big planning decisions and part-time work as a senior lecturer at Auckland University's planning department.

Mayor Dick Hubbard, two councillors from the City Vision-Labour block, Richard Northey and Vern Walsh, and chief executive David Rankin will meet today to assess Dr Hucker's return to work.

Mr Northey and Mr Walsh were appointed to temporarily fill in for Dr Hucker, particularly for civil defence and signing duties while Mr Hubbard was in China last week.

Mr Hubbard said it was good to see Dr Hucker back at the council but was not in a position to comment on his duties before today's meeting.

Meanwhile, Labour councillor John Hinchcliff is due back at work today after a motor accident last week that has left him in a neck brace for several weeks.