Auckland mayor Len Brown has left a council meeting today as debate over port expansion heats up.
Councillors have been pushing for debate to be reopened on the expansion – a move which brown has blocked as chair of the council.
Councillor Cathy Casey then accused him of not listening to the people of Auckland, Brown demanding she withdraw the accusation – saying it was an insult.
She refused to, and was asked to leave the chamber. When she refused to do that, Brown left instead.
The meeting was adjourned for 20 minutes until Casey agreed to apologise and withdraw the comment.
Last month, councillors narrowly voted in favour of reclamation being declared a “discretionary” activity in parts of the port precinct.
Some councillors have now indicated they are reconsidering their stance.
