Auckland Councillors are frustrated by an email from Mayor Wayne Brown asking them to stop speaking to media about the flooding disaster in the region.
In the email sent to all elected representatives and leaked to Newshub on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Brown said that "to ensure that all communications remain clear and consistent, we need to speak with one voice".
"For that reason, I ask that it be left to myself and the Deputy Mayor to lead public communications on regional matters."
He said councillors could still talk about what's happening in their local communities, but he would "take care of the big picture."
The request prompted a reply from North Shore ward councillor Chris Darby, who said he could not read the mayor's email and "suffer in silence."
"Your request for councillors and local board members to button it on regional matters is somewhat ludicrous," said Darby.
"The tone and content of your email, considering failings, is inappropriate. I would have stopped after the first line where you expressed a sliver of generosity."
Brown has been under fire over communications in the early hours of the disaster and this week announced an independent review into communications from himself and his office.
Darby told the Mayor: "A lot of members stepped up in day one and two particularly when they observed an information void and lack of political lead".
"From my observation they responded to media approaches and acquitted themselves well, and without the benefit of comms expertise," Darby said.
He went on to praise some of the councillors who have been publicly critical of how the response has been handled.
"I'm not one who has been talking to media to any great extent but I am super impressed by many of my political colleagues who have fetched media enquiry. Crs Josephine Bartley and Richard Hills come to mind. There are others." said Darby.
On Wednesday morning Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson appeared on TVNZ and said in an interview that Brown was "part of the problem ... and the solution".
A tweet from the Mayor of Auckland account said Simpson "is 'devastated' by her slip-up."
"I was trying to communicate the fact Mayor Brown is aware of the problems and part of the solution," said Simpson.
Here is Wayne Brown's email in full:
Good afternoon Elected members
Thank you again for the tireless work you're doing to support our communities as we deal with this unprecedented event.
My team and I have been working hard to strengthen communications and get clear, timely messages out to Aucklanders.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson has been doing a great job assisting me with this, alongside her work in the Orakei Ward, for which I’m grateful.
To ensure that all communications remain clear and consistent, we need to speak with one voice. For that reason, I ask that it be left to myself and the Deputy Mayor to lead public communications on regional matters.
That said, I strongly encourage you all to continue talking publicly about what's happening in your local communities – indeed, it's essential that you continue to do this.
I will take care of the big picture.
And I would ask that you all take care of the local picture.
Kind regards
Wayne
