Auckland mayor and councillors clash over attendance and leadership style

Friday 1 August 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Fri 1 Aug 2025, 12:40pm

In this story NZME, Donald Trump, Wayne Brown, Kerrin Leoni, Desley Simpson, Victoria Short

Mayor Wayne Brown has criticised councillors for missing in-person meetings. In response, mayoral rival Kerrin Leoni claimed Brown is frequently out of Auckland, while councillor John Watson accused the mayor of attempting a power grab through his Fix Auckland political movement.

How they headlined it

11am12:40pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 1 Aug 2025, 11:00am

   Wayne Brown ‘out of Auckland every chance he can get’, claims mayoral rival Kerrin Leoni in council attendance spat (opens in new tab)

2. StuffFri 1 Aug 2025, 12:40pm

   ‘Trumpian:’ Auckland councillor accuses Wayne Brown of power grab (opens in new tab)