Supercity doesn't look gift horses in mouth

Gifts included Lionel Richie concert tickets. Photo / Supplied

We don't know how lucky we are.

Supercity ratepayers will not just inherit a bunch of superannuated politicians who fancy a few more years of council meetings. They will also be handed down a strange treasure trove of gifts - from emu eggs to jewellery boxes. Everything, indeed, but the kitchen sink, one delicatessen basket, and seven Lionel Richie tickets.

Embarrassingly, Manukau's Len Brown decided to hold onto the crooner's tickets. He's probably regretting that - the concert was all but rained out.

Dozens of other gifts, received by mayors from visiting dignitaries or on trips to distant sister cities, have been handed back to the four city councils and three district councils - and passed on down to the Supercity.

Just two days ago, Auckland's John Banks was presented with a lacquer bowl by a Rear Admiral from the Korean Navy, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

Like the authentic Aboriginal painted emu egg in a wooden box, given to by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, it will be left in the council vaults.

Brown held onto his delicatessen baskets and Lionel Richie tickets. Waitakere's retiring mayor, Bob Harvey, is leaving behind a Japanese garden, two lion sculptures, a wedding kimono, and a crayon drawing from Huntington Beach.

As for Andrew Williams in North Shore City - well, that remains a mystery. He was the only Auckland civic mayor who did not disclose his gift list. Perhaps he claimed a bottle of wine or two? One can only speculate.

joseph.barratt@hos.co.nz