Portraits of prominent former Auckland mayors such as Sir Dove-Myer Robinson and Sir Arthur Myers have disappeared from the town hall.
An Auckland Council spokesman said portraits of the mayors were being stored temporarily in the Auckland Library while the town hall was "rejigged to better reflect its role as the centre of government for all of Auckland".
The disappearing act has upset former Auckland mayor John Banks, who commissioned the portraits. "It's a wanton act of destruction against the time-honoured heritage of Auckland." He wasn't concerned about his own portrait, he said.
Councillor Cameron Brewer was also not impressed, saying former council chambers in other parts of Auckland had retained their portraits of mayors.
Another former mayor, Dick Hubbard, said the move did not bother him - if another spot could be found for the portraits. "It may well be the image they are trying to project is that of a brand-new council."
