Len Doest Care

By Matthew Theunissen Email Matthew

Mr Brown, that's what well call him here has no time for those in the media who wish to pursue him for his head.

But that is what we want, his head on a plate.

11:00 AM Wednesday Oct 30, 2013

Expand

Len Brown. Photo / Brett Phibbs

 

Len Brown says the career of a mayor ebbs and flows, and the wave of negative publicity that has swamped him since news of his two-year extra-marital affair broke will pass.

"I'm just wanting to get on with my job," he said.

"I choose to put those matters where they belong and that's between myself, my wife and our family. Aucklanders have basically said 'that's something you need to deal with'. They want me to lead and that's what I'm going to do."

Video

In one of his few public appearances since it was revealed he had a two-year affair with aspiring politician Bevan Chuang, the Auckland mayor this morning drew the pools for the upcoming NRL Nines tournament taking place in the city in February.

The usually vivacious mayor appeared subdued as he mingled with the crowd, and spoke with special guests including rugby league star Willie Mason and Sir Peter Leitch.

Speaking to APNZ afterwards, Mr Brown would reveal little about the effect the scandal has had on his political career, but implied such things were par for the course in his line of work.

However, he said this had not been directed at him as a result of the sex scandal but because of Housing New Zealand tenant evictions in Glen Innes and Panmure.

"Otherwise it was a great night." 

Mr Brown would not comment on who may have been responsible for revealing the sex scandal, or revelations Rodney National MP Mark Mitchell had made comments about politicians "with skeletons in their closets" that could have led the mayor's camp to believe the affair would be made public.

"I don't want to go into that either. I want to leave that where it should lie. And clearly, after two weeks of intense media coverage Aucklanders are saying it's time for us to move on."

Mr Brown said he was "not interested" in whether support for him as mayor had been impacted by the scandal.

"I'm not interested in that either. What Aucklanders said in the election was 'look, we like the general direction, you're doing a good job, keep it up'. That's what I'm going to continue to do."

Mr Brown said he had not been in contact with Ms Chuang since their affair was revealed.

Not interested in the publics view of him, that's a far cry just two weeks ago during election time, that's all he was interested.

Wrecking a Perfect Body

Bevan Chuang Reveals all on 2 Year Len Brown Affair

Rodney Hide NZ Herald 3 Nov

Bevan Chuang reveals all tonight at & 7.00pm on TV One.

Len Brown is a busted flush. It may not be right. It may not be fair. But it's the truth.

Three weeks ago, I wrote Len Brown was good for Auckland. That's no longer true.

Len Brown can no longer provide the leadership that Auckland needs. His leadership has been busted by scandal. Sure, he can wear the mayoral chains, sit in the chair, and be called Your Worship, but he can't lead. Not any more.

Len is neither a king nor a sultan. He's an elected representative. He has only the authority that we grant him. And these days we don't grant that authority once every three years. The necessary trust and respect must be earned every day.

Len Brown has lost that. Mention his name anywhere in the country and it's greeted with a snort and a snigger. And a quip.

It isn't the affair that's busted him. He did a great job as mayor, all the while conducting his clandestine relationship. He got things done, was respected and was re-elected.

What busted him was his affair being made public. And in such detail.

A dignitary in his office now feels awkward sitting on his couch. Officials can't help but think about what he's been up to. Visitors want to see the Ngati Whatua room. Foreign guests Google his name and get the eye-watering detail.

I have been the centre of a media storm. The rights and wrongs don't matter. The storm is the problem. You spend days dealing with the storm. That prevents you getting on with the job. That's the place Len Brown has been since his re-election. He is missing in action.

And then it dies down but you notice you don't carry the same political oomph and kapow. The storm has diminished but so, too, has your political influence. Your judgment is left suspect and your suggestions and recommendations lack authority.

Len Brown is not the first politician to have an affair. He won't be the last. But he's the first to have it splattered through the news in such gory detail.

When Len Brown is telling Prime Minister John Key what Auckland needs, the Prime Minister and his colleagues can't help but put a big question mark over Len Brown's advice.

His political judgment is now suspect. He won't have any push or pull. And there you have it in a nutshell. A busted flush.

We need a mayor who can move through the city and country beating the drum for Auckland. That requires a demonstrated judgment that we can respect.

That with Len, sadly for him and for Auckland, went down oh so publicly with his trousers.

It is all revealed in splendid Technicolor and perfect stereo...disgusting.

- Herald on Sunday

Post like yourve never posted before

Ive decided to start this blog up again, it was almost a hit, so stick with me and well get along very nicely while shaking up the big boys a bit, nothing like certain death to gets ones inner self out...