5 Oct 2011

Mayor rejects criticism of minister

9:01 am on 5 October 2011

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has rejected sharp criticism by some councillors of Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully.

Former National MP Arthur Anae described Mr McCully as an idiot, while Sir John Walker said the minister's blaming of Auckland for problems on opening night had ruined the tournament for him.

The comments were made during a debate over whether the council should spend up to $1.5 million on an expansion of fanzones.

Mr Brown's casting vote secured the funding and he downplayed the attacks on the Minister.

He says the council has to stop looking back and concentrate on making a success of the next three weekends.