Chair and councillor butt heads at committee

An exchange at Auckland Councils' planning committee, prompted a councillor to call on the chair to retract his words.

At the planning committee on August 4, Cr Wayne Walker asked a number of questions prompting chair Chris Darby to question Walker’s conduct.

“We had an opportunity yesterday in a briefing and you did not ask a single question. Now you are asking a host of questions,” Darby said.

Darby acknowledged Walkers’ right to ask questions but said he had opportunities to ask the questions prior to the committee.

“I think you are really just playing it a little right now.”

Cr Wayne Walker said he wanted to ask his question publicly rather than in a closed workshop.

“If ever there is a location to ask questions and ask them publicly it is at a meeting such as this,” Walker said.

“I actually take objection to your words. It should not be your place as chair to be critical of a councillor so will you retract those words?”

Darby declined the request to retract his comments.