Aukland Mayor Wayne Brown wants Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon to become Minister for Auckland and is hoping for "less Wellington decisions".
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Brown said he's optimistic about a change in government.
"I think that'll be quite good, actually," he said.
"Mr Luxon rang me the day after. We share quite a lot of things in common. Both of us are probably better at business than we are at politics."
The mayor said he and Luxon shared opinions on international trade and hopes this will bolster the country's economy.
"We can't afford the things that we need if the country is not doing better."
Brown wants to see Luxon take up the role of Minister for Auckland and hopes it will mean better decision-making on the city's behalf.
"Auckland gave National a big vote, and I'm hoping he's Minister for Auckland. It's largely symbolic, and it involves a good relationship between me and the prime minister."
Luxon had previously indicated he wasn't looking to pick up extra ministerial portfolios.
Brown was asked about National's plans to scrap the city's regional fuel tax — which would likely see rates go up. Brown said he believes that a direct line between himself and the PM would mean better outcomes for Aucklanders.
"The nearer they are to the implications of what they do, the more they understand it," Brown said.
He said it's an "easy thing to say. 'I'm gonna get rid of that [fuel tax]'."
"You have to put something back, and it is either rates from the people, which won't be very popular, or some form of other thing."
He said he wants decisions about Auckland to be "done in Auckland".
"Far too many of the things that are wrong with Auckland have been started off in Wellington."
Brown said things that will be "good for Auckland", like the City Rail Link, are suffering from "too much interference from people in Wellington".
"I want symbolism that says we're gonna have less Wellington decisions."
Before Christmas, Brown wants to get the "guts of a city deal going", and to "make sure the [incoming] government understands the implications of the things that they're proposing for Auckland".
"I'm absolutely sure that they want that. They've been rewarded by a very strong vote in Auckland."
"And they’ll want to capitalise on it, and that means working well with Auckland and working well with me."
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