George Wood (New Zealand politician)

George Wood
CNZM
George Wood
4th Mayor of North Shore City
In office
1998–2007
Preceded byGeorge Gair
Succeeded byAndrew Williams
North Shore Ward Councillor
In office
1 November 2010 – 14 October 2016
Serving with Ann Hartley and Chris Darby
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byRichard Hills
Personal details
Born
George Sydney Wood

(1946-08-05) 5 August 1946 (age 78)
Birkenhead, New Zealand
SpouseMyra Wood
Childrenthree
Occupationpolice officer (formerly)
Websitewww.georgewood.co.nz

George Sydney Wood CNZM (born 5 August 1946) is a former mayor of North Shore City and a former Auckland Councillor. He was the only North Shore City mayor to be elected for three terms and later represented North Shore ward on the Auckland Council between 2010 and 2016. He is now an elected member of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.[1]

Early life

Wood was born in Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore. He was educated at Birkdale Primary School, Northcote Intermediate School and Northcote College.[2]

Police career

Wood originally worked for the New Zealand Police, primarily as a crime investigations manager. As a Police investigator, he worked on many inquiries and served at various times in Auckland, Rotorua and Palmerston North. In his final years of service (1995–98), he was the manager of Police services within North Shore City.[3]

A graduate of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Command and Staff College[4] and the Australian Institute of Police Management Sydney[5] from where he gained a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management.

He is the recipient of a New Zealand Police long service and good conduct medal awarded in 1980.[citation needed]

Political career

Mayor of North Shore City

In October 1998 Wood was elected Mayor of North Shore City following a fiercely contested election. Wood was able to bring together a new style of council administration with only three standing committees and all councillors members of these committees.[6]

During his three consecutive terms as mayor (1998–2007), Wood was most successful in melding the council together and pushed through major reforms in relation to sewerage (waste water) infrastructure improvements, revamping the strategic plan and long term funding programme for North Shore City and developing and building the Northern Busway project.[7][8]

Chairman of the Auckland Mayoral Forum

Following the 2001 local government elections Wood was elected to the position of chairman of the Auckland Mayoral Forum. In this role Wood pushed through a major joint programme between the Government and Auckland councils for transport funding.[9] This culminated in the Government passing the Local Government Auckland Amendment Act 2004 and the provision of an additional $1.6 billion of transport funding over the following ten years. This extra funding has resulted in huge improvements to the Auckland roading and public transport networks.[10]

Falun Gong

In April 2007, Wood acceded to pressure from Chinese officials not to attend an international cultural show by Divine Performing Arts, which contained scenes depicting the oppression of people who practice the Falun Gong spiritual system.[11][12] Wood was planning to attend the show with his wife, but after a phone call from the Chinese Consular General's office he backed out, and was quoted as saying:

I don't want to get involved in internal People's Republic of China politics but I also want to maintain a reasonable relationship with the People's Republic of China. They said that [the show] was involved in Falun Gong, they indicated Falun Gong, and I don't know what the true impact of that is, but it obviously has some concerns for them.
I had indicated that I probably would go to the show, but I'm not going to cause an international kerfuffle by going to something that I don't know anything about. I don't know anything about the Falun Gong or whatever it means. I am a mayor of a city not an international diplomat and I haven't really got the time to analyse the thing out.[13]

Hiatus from political office

Wood stood for a fourth term as an independent mayoralty candidate in the 2007 North Shore City elections but was defeated by Andrew Williams.[citation needed]

In the period since the October 2007 election Wood has worked behind the scenes on a number of projects mainly relating to transport. He is particularly vocal over the need to upgrade or replace the Auckland Harbour Bridge.[14] Wood has also strongly urged the improvement of public transport across the Auckland region whilst at the same time warning about the huge escalation in operational costs.[15] In 2009, in the lead up to the formation of Auckland Council, he questioned whether the new Auckland mayor would be able to control the proposed Auckland Transport Agency under the new proposed model.[16]

In the 2008 New Year Honours, Wood was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local-body affairs.[17]

Involvement in Auckland local government reform

In 2006, Wood indicated his support for the amalgamation of Auckland's seven city councils and boards into one 'supercity' Auckland council.[18] Wood was one of four mayors who asked Prime Minister Helen Clark to reform the Auckland region's local government in September 2006. Subsequently the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance was formed to enquire into the future of local government across the Auckland region.

Wood submitted to the Commission with Wyn Hoadley.[19] Their submission was well received by the three commissioners and received a positive report in the NZ Herald.[20]

Wood and Hoadley called for one Auckland council across the region with a mayor elected at large, 13 elected and 5 appointed specialist councillors and 13 boroughs to replace the existing councils and community boards. They also recommended that an Environmental Protection Agency be appointed.[21]

The high level of debt that the seven territorial councils and the Auckland Regional Council would bring to the new council, along with the negativity by existing councils, was a major concern to Wood.[22] The figure of $3 billion debt that the new Auckland council will need to deal with has been quoted in the media.[23]

Wood was concerned as to how the report of the Royal Commissioners on Auckland Governance[24] would be implemented. He believed it should be a report delivered on a broad front and not implemented in a piecemeal manner.[citation needed]

Auckland Council

Auckland Council
Years Ward Affiliation
2010–2013 North Shore Citizens & Ratepayers
2013–2016 North Shore Fair Deal For Shore

Wood was a councillor on the Auckland Council from its inception in 2010 until 2016. He joined the Citizens and Ratepayers Association (C&R) and was elected to the council on the Citizens and Ratepayers–North Shore ticket to represent the North Shore ward. He topped the poll for this ward[25] in the election.[26][27]

In his inaugural speech to the council, Wood made particular reference to the need to address the recommendations of the Royal Commission report. He made a strong plea to the new council to become actively involved in pursuing improved social conditions and trying to ensure that fewer young people end up in prison.[28]

Since the election he has spoken out to ensure that rates for property owners are kept under control.[29] He voiced disappointment in not getting a lead position, especially in the transport area.[30]

In his first term (2010–13), Wood was appointed chairman of the Community Safety Forum,[31] and Deputy Chairman of the Accountability and Performance committee.[32] A major revamp of the graffiti control and removal plan across the Auckland Region was undertaken under the direction of the Community Safety Forum chaired by Wood. The Auckland Council Graffiti Strategy document brought a number of organisations under one umbrella.[33]

In mid-2013, Wood abandoned the Citizens and Ratepayers ticket and set up a new ticket named Fair Deal For Shore in order to contest that year's October council elections.[34] He was re-elected as councillor for North Shore ward.[35] Wood was the chair of the Auckland Council's Regional Strategy and Policy committee, which was a committee of the whole of council, meaning that it consisted of the mayor, 20 councillors and two representative of the Independent Maori Statutory Board.[36]

The preparation of the Auckland Plan, a spatial plan for the future development of the Auckland Region over the next 40 years and adopted by Auckland Council in 2012, was a major interest for Wood.[37]

Wood did not stand for Auckland Council in the 2016 local elections,[38] but was elected to the Devonport-Takapuna local board on the Team George Wood ticket.[39]

Wood has been a critic of the Auckland Council's draft Unitary Plan[40] that was adopted in August 2016.[41] Locations such as Milford and Browns Bay have resisted the idea of taller residential buildings than what was proposed in the plan. This was despite plaintive pleas from Mayor Len Brown.[42]

Personal life

Wood is married to Myra Wood.[43]

References

  1. ^ "Contact Devonport-Takapuna Local Board". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Friends of Northcote College". Northcote.pastpupils.net. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  3. ^ Julie Middleton (8 February 2006). "Old foes at Hughes farewell". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. ^ "RNZAF - the NZDF Command and Staff College". Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  5. ^ "Executive Education | Australian Institute of Police Management". Aipm.gov.au. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  6. ^ Local Governance Statement, 11 November 2008 [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Northern Busway". Busway.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Auckland busway a 'revolution'". Stuff.co.nz. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  9. ^ "The Department of Internal Affairs: Local Government Act Review – Auckland transport investment package finalised". Dia.govt.nz. 30 March 2004. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  10. ^ North Shore Times. "Auckland busway a 'revolution'". Stuff. New Zealand. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  11. ^ "N Shore Mayor succumbs to China Consulate pressure | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  12. ^ 6:22 pm Thursday 5 April 2007 (5 April 2007). "Wood pulls out of Chinese event | NATIONAL News". Tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 28 July 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "N Shore Mayor succumbs to China Consulate pressure | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Ex-mayor claims 'veil of secrecy' over effect of future harbour crossing". The New Zealand Herald. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  15. ^ "George Wood: Upgrading metro rail system incurs huge cost". The New Zealand Herald. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  16. ^ "City will not control key roles". The New Zealand Herald. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  17. ^ "New Year honours list 2008". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Auckland is 'five non-world-class cities', says Cullen". The New Zealand Herald. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Submission to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance" (PDF). Royalcommission.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  20. ^ "Super ARC 'needs to take on social issues'". The New Zealand Herald. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  21. ^ "Councils fight for identity in face of super-city plans". The New Zealand Herald. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  22. ^ "Concerns raised over make-up of new 'Super-city' council". The New Zealand Herald. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  23. ^ "Super city will start $3b in the red". The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  24. ^ "Decommissioned websites – Royal Commission on Auckland Governance – dia.govt.nz". Royalcommission.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Election results in your area". The New Zealand Herald. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  26. ^ "elections2010.co.nz". Elections2010.co.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  27. ^ "elections2010.co.nz". Elections2010.co.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  28. ^ Bernard Orsman (4 November 2010). "Painting the big picture – in a positive way". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  29. ^ Bernard Orsman (14 December 2010). "Mayor wins fight to set rate rise at 4.9 per cent". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  30. ^ Bernard Orsman (10 November 2010). "Ex-mayor 'deflated' by minor position". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Community Safety Forum". Aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  32. ^ "Accountability and Performance Committee". Aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  33. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ^ "C&R splits as members eye election spots". NZ Herald. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Local elections 2013: Full Auckland results". NZ Herald. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Ward councillors". Aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  37. ^ "The Auckland Plan – A first for Auckland". Auckland Council. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Auckland councillors bowing out". The New Zealand Herald. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  39. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. ^ "North Shore Times Digital Edition". Northshoretimes.realviewdigital.com. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  41. ^ "Auckland Council's Unitary Plan passed". NZ Herald. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  42. ^ "North Shore Times Digital Edition". Northshoretimes.realviewdigital.com. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  43. ^ Mt Albert Presbyterian church, 22 January 1972 m. Myra Grace Keucke
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of North Shore City
1998–2007 		Succeeded by

Read other articles:

Arung dan si Kaya

Artikel ini memiliki beberapa masalah. Tolong bantu memperbaikinya atau diskusikan masalah-masalah ini di halaman pembicaraannya. (Pelajari bagaimana dan kapan saat yang tepat untuk menghapus templat pesan ini) Artikel ini perlu dikembangkan agar dapat memenuhi kriteria sebagai entri Wikipedia.Bantulah untuk mengembangkan artikel ini. Jika tidak dikembangkan, artikel ini akan dihapus. Artikel ini tidak memiliki referensi atau sumber tepercaya sehingga isinya tidak bisa dipastikan. Tolong bant...

 

Daftar penghargaan dan nominasi yang diterima oleh Avatar

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Desember 2023. Artikel atau sebagian dari artikel ini mungkin diterjemahkan dari List of accolades received by Avatar di en.wikipedia.org. Isinya masih belum akurat, karena bagian yang diterjemahkan masih perlu diperhalus dan disempurnakan. Jika Anda menguasai bahas...

 

Alva AG Narande

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada November 2022. Alva AG Narande Informasi pribadiLahir27 April 1958 (umur 65)Manado, Sulawesi UtaraAlma materAkademi Militer (1984)Karier militerPihak IndonesiaDinas/cabang TNI Angkatan DaratMasa dinas1984 - 2016Pangkat Brigadir Jenderal TNISatuanArtil...

Perikanan laut

Perikanan laut merupakan kegiatan penangkapan ikan di laut. Perikanan laut merupakan usaha menangkap ikan di laut.[1] Usaha itu dilakukan diperairan pantai atau di tengah laut.[2] Para nelayan menangkap ikan di laut menggunakan dua macam cara yaitu melalui cara tradisional dan modern.[2] Nelayan tradisonal hanya mengadalkan peralatan sederhana berupa perahu layar dan peralatan menangkap ikan seperti pancing, jala, dan jaring sehingga jumlah ikan yang ditanggap sedikit ...

 

Serie C 1936-1937

Serie C 1936-1937 Competizione Serie C Sport Calcio Edizione 2ª Organizzatore Direttorio Divisioni Superiori Date dal 13 settembre 1936al 16 maggio 1937 Luogo  Italia Partecipanti 76 Formula 5 gironi Risultati Promozioni Anconitana-BianchiPadovaSanremeseTarantoVigevano Retrocessioni (le squadre scritte in corsivo sono poi state riammesse) Pro Gorizia, Fortitudo Trieste; Legnano, Crema; Cusiana, Gallaratese; Andrea Doria, Carrarese P. Binelli; Acqui, Derthona; Forlì, Forlimpopo...

 

Cinema of Ukraine

Filmmaking in Ukraine The article's lead section may need to be rewritten. Please help improve the lead and read the lead layout guide. (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Cinema of UkraineNo. of screens2,332 (2011)[1] • Per capita5.6 per 100,000 (2011)[1]Main distributorsB And H 20.0%Gemini Film 11.0%Kinomania 7.0%[2]Produced feature films (2009)[3]Fictional10Animated2Documentary7Number of admissions (2018...

Ioannis Amanatidis

Ioannis Amanatidis Informasi pribadiTanggal lahir 3 Desember 1981 (umur 42)Tempat lahir Kozani, YunaniTinggi 1,83 m (6 ft 0 in)Posisi bermain PenyerangInformasi klubKlub saat ini tanpa klubKarier junior1991–1995 Stuttgarter SC1995–1999 VfB StuttgartKarier senior*Tahun Tim Tampil (Gol)1999–2004 VfB Stuttgart 35 (6)2000–2002 → Greuther Fürth (pinjaman) 42 (12)2004 → Eintracht Frankfurt (pinjaman) 15 (6)2004–2005 1. FC Kaiserslautern 23 (6)2005–2011 Eintrach...

 

Northwest Russia

One of traditional regions of Russia This article is about the geographic region. For the administrative region, see Northwestern Federal District. The Northwestern Federal District Northwest Russia, or the Russian North is the northern part of western Russia. It is bounded by Norway, Finland, the Arctic Ocean, the Ural Mountains and the east-flowing part of the Volga. The area is roughly coterminous with the Northwestern Federal District, which it is administered as part of. Historically, it...

 

Перуанский анчоус

Перуанский анчоус Научная классификация Домен:ЭукариотыЦарство:ЖивотныеПодцарство:ЭуметазоиБез ранга:Двусторонне-симметричныеБез ранга:ВторичноротыеТип:ХордовыеПодтип:ПозвоночныеИнфратип:ЧелюстноротыеГруппа:Костные рыбыКласс:Лучепёрые рыбыПодкласс:Новопёрые ...

Daftar kasino Las Vegas yang tak pernah dibuka

Artikel ini tidak memiliki bagian pembuka yang sesuai dengan standar Wikipedia. Mohon tulis paragraf pembuka yang informatif sehingga pembaca dapat memahami maksud dari Daftar kasino Las Vegas yang tak pernah dibuka. Contoh paragraf pembuka Daftar kasino Las Vegas yang tak pernah dibuka adalah .... (Pelajari cara dan kapan saatnya untuk menghapus pesan templat ini) Bertahun-tahun terdapat beberapa kasino dan resor yang direncanakan di Las Vegas yang tak pernah dibuka. Perencanaan mungkin baru...

 

The Irish Press

Irish newspaper (1931–1995) The Irish PressCover of last edition from 25 May 1995TypeDaily newspaperFormatBroadsheet (1931–1988)Compact (1988–1995)Owner(s)Irish Press Ltd.Éamon de ValeraFounder(s)Éamon de ValeraEditorFrank Gallagher (1931–1935)William Sweetman (1935–1950)Jim McGuinness (1953–1957)Tim Pat Coogan (1968–1987)Hugh Lambert (1988–1995)Founded5 September 1931 (1931-09-05)Political alignmentNationalist / RepublicanPro-Fianna FáilLanguageEnglish,...

 

Universo Online

Brazilian web content, products and services company This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2021) Universo Online S.A.Company typeSociedade AnônimaIndustryOnline service providerFounded1996; 28 years ago (1996)HeadquartersSão Paulo, BrazilKey peopleRômulo Dias, (Chairman & CEO)ProductsOnline mediaRevenue US$ 95.4 million (2021)[1]Net income US$ 82.4 million (2021)[1&#...

拉尔·巴哈杜尔·夏斯特里

拉尔·巴哈杜尔·夏斯特里第二任印度总理任期1964年6月9日—1966年1月11日总统薩瓦帕利·拉達克里希南前任古爾扎里拉爾·南達继任古爾扎里拉爾·南達印度外交部長任期1964年6月9日—1964年7月18日总理自己前任古爾扎里拉爾·南達继任斯瓦倫·辛格（英语：Swaran Singh）印度內政部長任期1961年4月4日—1963年8月29日总理賈瓦哈拉爾·尼赫魯前任戈文德·巴拉布·潘特（英语：Govind Balla...

 

USS Euryale

Tender of the United States Navy For other ships with the same name, see list of ships named Euryale. USS Euryale (AS-22) At Sasebo, Japan, in November 1945. She has three large Japanese submarines alongside. They are (from inboard to outboard): I-401, I-14 and I-400. History United States Name Hawaiian Merchant USS Euryale (AS-22) NamesakeEuryale BuilderFederal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Launched12 April 1941[1] Sponsored byMrs. Richard A. Cooke[1] Acquiredpurchased by ...

 

المجلس القومي لمكافحة الإرهاب والتطرف (مصر)

جمهورية مصر العربيةالمجلس القومي لمكافحة الإرهاب والتطرف المجلس القومي لمكافحة الإرهاب والتطرف (مصر) تفاصيل الوكالة الحكومية البلد مصر  الاسم الكامل المجلس القومي لمكافحة الإرهاب والتطرف تأسست 26 يوليو 2017 المركز القاهرة،  مصر الإدارة المدير التنفيذي السيد / عبد الف...

Yūko Sanpei

Japanese actress This biography of a living person includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Yūko Sanpei三瓶 由布子Sanpei in 2008Born (1986-02-28) Feb...

 

Schweriner Sportclub 2017-2018 (pallavolo femminile)

Voce principale: Schweriner Sportclub (pallavolo femminile). Schweriner SportclubStagione 2017-2018Sport pallavolo Squadra Schweriner Allenatore Felix Koslowski All. in seconda Manuel Hartmann Presidente Johannes Wienecke 1. Bundesliga3ª Play-off scudettoVincitrice Coppa di GermaniaSemifinali Supercoppa tedescaVincitrice Coppa CEVSemifinali 2016-17 2018-19 Questa voce raccoglie le informazioni riguardanti lo Schweriner Sportclub nelle competizioni ufficiali della stagione 2017-2018. In...

 

Сухопутные войска Испании

Сухопутные войска Испанииисп. Ejército de Tierra Герб сухопутных войск Испании Годы существования XV век — н.в. Страна  Испания Подчинение Министерство обороны Испании Входит в вооружённые силы Испании Тип вид вооружённых сил Включает в себя пехота Сухопутных войск Исп...

Morane-Saulnier P

French WW1 reconnaissance aircraft This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Morane-Saulnier P – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Type P/MS.21/MS.24/MS.26 Royal Flying Corps MS.24 Type P Role ReconnaissanceType of aircraft Manufactu...

 

House season 2

Season of television series HouseSeason 2Season 2 DVD coverNo. of episodes24ReleaseOriginal networkFoxOriginal releaseSeptember 13, 2005 (2005-09-13) –May 23, 2006 (2006-05-23)Season chronology← PreviousSeason 1 Next →Season 3 List of episodes The second season of House premiered on September 13, 2005[1] and ended on May 23, 2006.[1] During the season, House tries to cope with his feelings for his ex-girlfriend Stacy Warner, who, after he diagno...