Wayne Brown has had a strained relationship with media since taking the mayoral chains last year. Photo: RNZThe Media Freedom Council has called Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's exclusion of certain media outlets from his budget speech "unacceptable". Stuff reported amongst those allowed in were "business leaders, former politicians and former rugby league coach Sir Graham Lowe". Richard Sutherland Photo: RNZStuff queried the mayor's decision and was told only a "select few journalists… we feel were best able to convey the mayor's message" were invited. Sutherland called Brown's decision an "affront to the democratic process and an insult to voters".

Source: Stuff June 01, 2023 02:32 UTC