Mayor Hubbard looking for new deputy

Bruce Hucker

Embattled Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard held talks yesterday with City Vision councillor Neil Abel about replacing his team leader, Dr Bruce Hucker, as deputy mayor.

The favoured alternative was finance committee chairman and City Vision member Vern Walsh.

Labour's Richard Northey was also considered but was thought to lack "charisma".

In a frank discussion, Mr Abel is understood to have told Mr Hubbard he had the numbers to roll Dr Hucker among the "consultative group" of City Vision, Labour, Action Hobson and two independent councillors that controls the council.

Mr Abel told Mr Hubbard he probably could count on Action Hobson's Christine Caughey, Richard Simpson, Mr Walsh himself and Labour's Mr Northey, who had indicated he was prepared to confront Dr Hucker.

However, Mr Abel did not think Mr Northey had the necessary charisma and Mr Hubbard's preference was for the "low key" and "reliable" Mr Walsh.

Despite Mr Abel's views and the deep schisms that exist between the mayor and deputy mayor, Mr Hubbard said he planned to keep working with Dr Hucker in the meantime.

His political adviser, Dorothy Wilson, who was at the meeting, stressed the need to try to make the relationship work.

Mr Hubbard does not want a repeat of the coup that failed last November after Dr Hucker announced a social blueprint without informing the mayor.

Another consultative group member said "October is the date to watch". That is when a review of the committee structure takes place, including Dr Hucker's powerful urban strategy and governance committee, nicknamed the "mini council".

"If there is any strike it would have to be a decisive strike and [the mayor needs to be] sure of the numbers. I think there are good indications of that," the councillor said.

The Herald understands Mr Hubbard told Mr Abel that he had been "deeply damaged" by his latest rift with Dr Hucker in the past fortnight over the budget and Civic Carpark leaky roof crisis and earlier events.

He is concerned that perceptions of being a lame duck mayor are seeping into the public consciousness and shaping public opinion, which is hard to shift.

Last night, Mr Abel said he did not wish to comment on the matter, saying "blimey, it's extraordinary".

Mr Hubbard said Mr Abel called him yesterday and came in to discuss a number of issues and at the end of the meeting "we touched briefly on the events of the past fort-night".

"Suggestions we had a meeting with Neil about rolling or replacements or anything like that are just absolutely totally false. I'm more than happy to put my hand on the Bible over that one."

Mr Hubbard said he "absolutely categorically" did not discuss Mr Walsh or Mr Northey as replacements for Dr Hucker.

"I can only imagine that someone is speculating and speculating quite incorrectly about the tone and tenor of the meeting," said Mr Hubbard.