[imc-auckland-video] Cat amongst the pigeons

[Kim Mazur]

Cereal king adds fresh flavour to mayoral race 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3585331&thesection=ne
ws&thesubsection=general
19.08.2004
By BERNARD ORSMAN 
Cereal king Dick Hubbard is running for Mayor of Auckland City, saying
he is standing against the "Muldoonism" of incumbent John Banks. 

The surprise announcement comes just two days before nominations close
and gives voters a serious alternative to Mr Banks, former mayor
Christine Fletcher and City Vision leader Dr Bruce Hucker. 

Mr Hubbard told the Herald that Mr Banks' style was too abrasive and he
was determined to bring to the mayoralty the strong sense of values and
culture on which he had built his multimillion-dollar cereal company. 

"I've always listened to my customers and my staff and I will listen
carefully to Auckland ratepayers," Mr Hubbard said. "I want to look
after the people and the businesses that need to prosper here. 

"Auckland needs a mayor who can work with everyone, not just those who
support him. I want to bring pride, passion and principles back to
Auckland." 

The 57-year-old Epsom resident said he had been quietly absorbing the
issues and listening to the rhetoric over the past six months. The
tipping point came two weeks ago when Mr Banks labelled North Shore
Mayor George Wood "pathetic" for opposing the proposed V8 supercar race.


"That was Muldoonism. Muldoon called people pathetic when they upset him
... I cringed and was ashamed." Mr Hubbard has earned a reputation as a
campaigner for social responsibility in business. His workforce was the
envy of the country after he shouted staff to Samoa for a three-day
weekend to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary in 1998. 

The food technologist founded the Business for Social Responsibility
group to promote ethical practices. 

He is among the inner circle of Prime Minister Helen Clark's business
confidantes and has given $1 million to Outward Bound over the past 10
years. 

He loves the outdoors and has climbed Mt Cook and Mt Aconcagua in South
America. 

Mr Hubbard, who is funding his own campaign, has taken out a full-page
advertisement in today's Herald explaining why he is standing and
outlining his position on several policies. 

He supports a scaled-back eastern highway but wants more emphasis on
public transport. 

Mr Hubbard is concerned that high-density housing could lead to "ghetto
pockets", and wants to explore more autonomy for Waiheke and Great
Barrier Island and alternative sites for the V8 supercar race. 

He said Dr Hucker did not have the traction to win the mayoralty and he
did not believe Mrs Fletcher could make a comeback after being beaten so
conclusively at the last local body elections. 

Mr Banks said yesterday that anyone was welcome to stand for the
mayoralty. "It's called democracy." 

Meanwhile, Mrs Fletcher last night refused to comment on rumours that
she was preparing to run a "Team Fletcher" ticket in her stronghold ward
of Eden-Albert and on the Auckland Regional Council to damage the
electoral hopes of Bruce Hucker's City Vision.