George Sydney Wood CNZM (born 5 August 1946) is a former mayor of North Shore City and a former Auckland Councillor.

[6] During his three consecutive terms as mayor (1998–2007), Wood was most successful in melding the council together and pushed through major reforms in relation to sewerage (waste water) infrastructure improvements, revamping the strategic plan and long term funding programme for North Shore City and developing and building the Northern Busway project.

In this role Wood pushed through a major joint programme between the Government and Auckland councils for transport funding.

[10] In April 2007, Wood acceded to pressure from Chinese officials not to attend an international cultural show by Divine Performing Arts, which contained scenes depicting the oppression of people who practice the Falun Gong spiritual system.

[13]Wood stood for a fourth term as an independent mayoralty candidate in the 2007 North Shore City elections but was defeated by Andrew Williams.

[citation needed] In the period since the October 2007 election Wood has worked behind the scenes on a number of projects mainly relating to transport.

[14] Wood has also strongly urged the improvement of public transport across the Auckland region whilst at the same time warning about the huge escalation in operational costs.

[18] Wood was one of four mayors who asked Prime Minister Helen Clark to reform the Auckland region's local government in September 2006.

[26][27] In his inaugural speech to the council, Wood made particular reference to the need to address the recommendations of the Royal Commission report.

He made a strong plea to the new council to become actively involved in pursuing improved social conditions and trying to ensure that fewer young people end up in prison.

[32] A major revamp of the graffiti control and removal plan across the Auckland Region was undertaken under the direction of the Community Safety Forum chaired by Wood.