Simeon Brown: Minister for Auckland on the State of the City Report

The Minister for Auckland's keeping positive despite a mixed annual State of the City report.  The third annual report shows the city rates strongly in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but is falling when it comes to prosperity, skills, and innovation development.   Minister Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan Auckland's at a good turning point.   He says it will be a great year with the City Rail Link opening and the international convention centre bringing opportunities.   Brown says they're also addressing inherited challenges, with crime coming down.   He's also assuring that health workers and the government are working to ease hospital pressure, amid reports some Auckland ambulances were redirected from EDs. RNZ reports delays handing patients over to Auckland City and Middlemore Hospitals yesterday afternoon, with some assessed by phone or diverted to non-hospital clinics. Brown told du Plessis Allan patients with less severe symptoms are sent to after hours urgent care from time to time.  He says the reality is winter is a challenging time for the system, but they're continuing to focus on front line resources to make sure patients receive timely and quality care.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.