Auckland mayor Len Brown has been sworn-in for a second term promising tougher scrutiny of the biggest salaries on the council.
Auckland mayor Len Brown. Photo: RNZ
In his inauguration address on Tuesday evening, Mr Brown said there needs to be greater transparency about senior salaries in a council group where the two top earners are on close to $800,000 a year.
Outside the ceremony, Mr Brown said he doesn't envisage lowering salaries for existing managers, but the imminent appointment of a new chief executive may be an opportunity for change.
Mr Brown has decided the key roles on the council, with jobs allocated across the political spectrum.
Centre-right councillor George Wood steps up to chair the Regional Strategy and Policy committee and former National MP Christine Fletcher is to chair two smaller committees.
Mr Brown made no reference in his speech to the controversy over the past fortnight since admitting that he had had a two-year affair with a member of a council advisory panel.
Penny Hulse deputy mayor
Penny Hulse will again be Auckland's deputy mayor, meaning the city will be led by the same mayor and deputy for another term.
Len Brown says Ms Hulse showed remarkable and positive leadership in the first term of the Auckland Council. She was one of the main drivers for the council's the Unitary Plan long term blueprint.
Ms Hulse says the council has been through a rocky couple of weeks and the announcement will help bring stability.
She says her first term as Auckland's deputy leader was daunting but she and the mayor work well together.
"If I'm really honest I have to admit that three years ago I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, it certainly has been a huge challenge.
"For the next three years I'm a lot clearer about the pitfalls and the opportunities and pretty focussed on delivering to this wonderful city of ours."
