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Long-serving Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis has announced he will stand down after 24 years in the job.
Sir Barry, a surveyor and town planner in his early career, is New Zealand's longest serving mayor, having held the position since 1983.He became a councillor in 1968.
He said today he would not seek re-election at October's local authority elections.
In 1971 Sir Barry was also elected as a member of the Auckland Regional Authority and was re-elected four times. Between 1977 and 1983 he was chairman of the authority's planning committee.
As mayor, Sir Barry has given around 300 speeches a year.
He said one of his guiding passions was social justice and promoting opportunity for all, regardless of their social background.
"I came from a poor family and my father was a waterside worker. That is why I know how it feels to be born on the wrong side of the tracks. I never forget that," Sir Barry said.
"I have worked hard to make Manukau the place it is today and creating the infrastructure and quality public services that the community expects has been vitally important to me."
The city of Manukau was formed in 1965 and is the country's third largest in population terms and is growing by 10,000 people a year.
Manukau City Council chief executive Leigh Auton said Sir Barry had made a huge contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the city.
"Sir Barry has led Manukau through a period of phenomenal growth," he said.
"For some time Manukau has been New Zealand's fastest growing city and that has placed tremendous demands on the city's infrastructure and social development.
"Much of what has been achieved can be attributed to Sir Barry's work and dedication."
Sir Barry will not contest any other position within the council.
- NZPA
