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Amid a stirring karanga and haka and a standing ovation from his fellow councillors and supporters, former lawyer Len Brown was last night sworn in as the new mayor of Manukau City.
The 50-year-old had tears welling in his eyes and made a gentle fist-thumping gesture towards his heart as he accepted the golden mayoral chains and black and yellow robe, at the Manukau City Council hall.
Mr Brown will be joined in office by Samoan Otara councillor and Labour candidate Su'a William Sio, who was last night named Deputy Mayor.
He will become the first Polynesian to hold the position in the world's largest Polynesian city.
After a brief mihi and a multicultural greeting, Mr Brown paid tribute to his wife Shan and three daughters and his large team of supporters.
He also paid homage to his "wonderful mentor" and predecessor, Sir Barry Curtis.
"I cannot stand here without an acknowledgement of the man who sat in that chair for 24 years," said Mr Brown, who defeated his nearest rival Dick Quax by nearly 15,000 votes nearly two weeks ago.
He said the city sat on the "cusp of continuing massive change" and wasted no time in spelling out his vision for it.
He said he would instil "vigorous financial management" within the council and institutionalise the low-rates culture that communities in Manukau had been asking for.
Regarding his election promise of combating graffiti, Mr Brown said he would work with his councillors on the problem, before tackling liquor-licensing issues.
He also served notice to gangs and those involved in Sunday night's drive-by shooting that crime would not be tolerated.
"But I will be leading from within this chamber with the community at my back and by my side."
His medium-term goals included the rejuvenation of Manukau's many town centres, developing a more efficient transport system and rolling out broadband internet throughout the city.
But Mr Brown's "particular focus" over the next three years will be on the city's youth.
"As the leader of this council I will focus on our young people so they have opportunities in this city to have great lives, to achieve excellence in sport, academia, culture and employment on leaving education."
