Women on upper - ex-mayor

A claim that females are taking over stirs the Waitakere council, writes ANNE BESTON.

A Waitakere City councillor and former mayor is under fire for comments he made during a council meeting that too many women are running the country.

Assid Corban told a council meeting that women seemed to be everywhere while men were being left behind.

The 73-year-old's remarks were greeted with stunned disbelief, said Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey.

"I'm not a fan of Assid's, but I have to say I was shocked at his outburst."

Waitakere councillor Janet Clews said Mr Corban's comments were generally greeted with laughter but at least one woman councillor was annoyed.

The remarks came during a debate over who should become the new president of Local Government New Zealand.

The position is vacant after former president Louise Rosson resigned following political fallout over the organisation's relations with the Goverment.

She said it was difficult to get time with Local Government Minister Sandra Lee.

Waitakere City, along with other councils throughout the country, will vote next month on who should fill the vacancy.

The frontrunners are New Plymouth mayor Claire Stewart and South Waikato mayor Gordon Blake.

Ms Clews said she responded to Mr Corban's comments by saying women had a lot of catching up to do. But she said it was ridiculous to suggest the vote would be based on gender.

"It's not the first time he's had a little outburst, but it is a little embarrassing."

Mr Corban defended his remarks by saying most people present at the meeting were amused rather than angry.

But he meant what he said.

"There are women all over the place. They've taken over the Government and taken over the Justice Department. There's a woman Prime Minister - everywhere you look there's a woman."

"I think one of [the councillors] got upset about it but there was quite a laugh about the issue. Blokes are getting left behind in this world."