A tribute to Robert Gallagher City Vision Chair 2007 – 2024

City Vision’s long-standing Chair Robert Gallagher recently stepped down to focus on treatment following a brain tumour diagnosis at the end of last year.

Robert has been a City Vision stalwart since a coalition of Labour and Alliance with like minded Community Independents formed in 1998 to contest Auckland City Council elections. The Greens joined the coalition in 2004. By 2007 Robert had taken over as chair. It has taken Robert’s diplomacy, wisdom and patience to maintain a remarkably successful political marriage over many years.

Recently City Vision elected members, committee members past and present joined together to recognise Robert’s considerable contribution to City Vision and often unsung service to Auckland. Former Deputy Chair and current Secretary Gwen Shaw MC’d the event to celebrate Robert’s major contribution to City Vision.

Former chair and founding member of City Vision, John Hill praised Robert as the rock that City Vision has bed itself on for 26 years building the left in Auckland local body politics.

Richard Northey, Waitematā Local Board member spoke of Robert “consistently providing personal support and political advice, campaigning skills, political acumen, calmness and patience in all the challenges we have faced as individual elected members and as a City Vision collective. Our continued success and coherence as a City Vision organisation is a continuing
massive tribute to Robert”

Simon Mitchell, former Albert- Eden Local Board member recognised Robert as having made one of the biggest unheralded contributions to Auckland for his leadership over 20 years.

Margi Watson, chair Albert-Eden Local Board (first elected in 2010 as a community independent) acknowledged Robert as shining light to guide us through the political landscape of Auckland. Through election periods to caucusing and monthly meetings – Robert is always there. His contribution to help elected members increase their knowledge of politics and understanding and to challenge us and help us find solutions to the tricky parts of “the local” in Local Government where we have differences – has been immeasurable.

Another Community Independent with City Vision Cr Julie Fairey, noted Robert’s ability to listen to agitated candidates and talk us through any campaign worries. “Like many of our candidates over the years, I’ve had the experience of Robert talking me down from my stress and panic to find a positive way forward be it on the campaign trail or around the decision-making table as an elected member.” She acknowledged his generosity with his skills and time, over many many years and to many different members of the City Vision whānau.

Over the years Robert has been a great personal supporter and adviser to serving Auckland City Councillors, including Glenda Fryer, Cathy Casey, Graeme Easte, Denise Roche, Richard Northey and Leila Boyle, as well as members on community boards and then since the formation of the Super City in 2010 to elected members on the Auckland Council, Waitematā, Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa Local Boards, as well as the Auckland District Health Board and the Portage Licensing Trust.

Robert has been supported throughout by his long time partner former, MP Carol Beaumont.

City Vision owes them both a huge debt.

City Vision’s long-standing Chair Robert Gallagher recently stepped down to focus on treatment following a brain tumour diagnosis at the end of last year.

Robert has been a City Vision stalwart since a coalition of Labour and Alliance with like minded Community Independents formed in 1998 to contest Auckland City Council elections.The Greens joined the coalition in 2004. By 2007 Robert had taken over as chair. It has taken Robert’s diplomacy, wisdom and patience to maintain a remarkably successful political marriage over many years.

Recently City Vision elected members, committee members past and present joined together to recognise Robert’s considerable contribution to City Vision and often unsung service to Auckland. Former Deputy Chair and current Secretary Gwen Shaw MC’d the event to celebrate Robert’s major contribution to City Vision.

Former chair and founding member of City Vision, John Hill praised Robert as the rock that City Vision has bed itself on for 26 years building the left in Auckland local body politics.

Richard Northey, Waitematā Local Board member spoke of Robert “consistently providing personal support and political advice, campaigning skills, political acumen, calmness and patience in all the challenges we have faced as individual elected members and as a City Vision collective. Our continued success and coherence as a City Vision organisation is a continuing
massive tribute to Robert”

Simon Mitchell, former Albert- Eden Local Board member recognised Robert as having made one of the biggest unheralded contributions to Auckland for his leadership over 20 years.

Margi Watson, chair Albert-Eden Local Board (first elected in 2010 as a community independent) acknowledged Robert as shining light to guide us through the political landscape of Auckland. Through election periods to caucusing and monthly meetings – Robert is always there. His contribution to help elected members increase their knowledge of politics and understanding and to challenge us and help us find solutions to the tricky parts of “the local” in Local Government where we have differences – has been immeasurable.

Another Community Independent with City Vision Cr Julie Fairey, noted Robert’s ability to listen to agitated candidates and talk us through any campaign worries. “Like many of our candidates over the years, I’ve had the experience of Robert talking me down from my stress and panic to find a positive way forward be it on the campaign trail or around the decision-making table as an elected member.” She acknowledged his generosity with his skills and time, over many many years and to many different members of the City Vision whānau.

Over the years Robert has been a great personal supporter and adviser to serving Auckland City Councillors, including Glenda Fryer, Cathy Casey, Graeme Easte, Denise Roche, Richard Northey and Leila Boyle, as well as members on community boards and then since the formation of the Super City in 2010 to elected members on the Auckland Council, Waitematā, Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa Local Boards, as well as the Auckland District Health Board and the Portage Licensing Trust.

Robert has been supported throughout by his long time partner former MP, Carol Beaumont.

City Vision owes them both a huge debt.

City Vision adopted co-chair leadership in 2023. Lawyer Bernadette Power has been appointed the new Co-Chair to work alongside current Co-chair Julia Maskill.

Photos from the City Vision archives