Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says campaign promises from the National Party would leave Auckland worse off.
On Tuesday morning, Brown let the Nats know he wants to take back control.
"Right at the moment, we've got an election where one of the likely inbound Governments has made some statements which is only going to make this worse actually," Brown said.
He's talking about National's plan to scrap the regional fuel tax (RFT).
"Labour said Auckland needed the Auckland fuel tax to deliver light rail, that was back in 2017, they haven't delivered on their major infrastructure projects while Aucklanders continue to pay more at the pump," National's transport spokesperson Simeon Brown said.
Mayor Brown claims there's a problem with that because revenue from the RFT is committed to a $1.4 billion Auckland infrastructure project - the Eastern Busway - which will carry 30,000 people a day between Auckland's southeast and Panmure station.
The section between Panmure and Pakuranga is finished, Pakuranga to Botany is next. It'll also have 12km of separated cycle lanes.
"You make a statement: 'oh, we're going to get rid of the fuel tax'. Well, hang on, it is doing something. There was a statement it hasn't been spend, it is committed," the Mayor said.
But National's leader Christopher Luxon and his colleagues said they can work with Wayne Brown and there's no threat to the busway.
"I think we're going to have a very constructive relationship with Mayor Brown and also Auckland City in general after this election," Luxon said.
"We're committed to the Eastern Busway, which is a critical project," Simeon Brown said.
Mayor Brown's mantra is all about Auckland controlling its own destiny, for example, he also wants GST on rates back in the super city bank account.
He wants to pump up parking fines to boost revenue too.
"We have actually less power than the Mayor of Horowhenua, wherever that is," Mayor Brown said.
Cue the Mayor of Horowhenua, beaming in from Levin.
"Probably - obviously - it shows he needs to get south of the Bombay Hills more and understand that there are some other special parts of the country as well," Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said.
A trip to Horowhenua, then Wellington to sort the city of snails' traffic woes.
