city centre with above ground tracks leading to Howick, Auckland Airport and a tunnel to the North Shore. The scheme was heavily criticized for its cost (an estimated $273 million in 1973) and both the ARA chairman Tom Pearce and most of its members opposed the scheme. The Third Labour Government reneged on an election pledge to pay for the scheme and the rapid rail proposal disappeared. Retrospectively, Robinson's idea to implement rapid rail was seen as a possible long-term solution to Auckland's subsequent transportation difficulties. The phrase; "If we'd only listened to Robbie..." has become common speech in Auckland whenever the city's transport system is debated. During his career, Robinson also became involved in the incipient movement of Green politics, particularly the anti-nuclear movement, and supported the Third Labour Government's opposition to French nuclear testing in the Pacific. He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1970 Queen's Birthday Honours, for outstanding services as mayor of Auckland. Robinson's influence declined in the 1970s and after his 1977 election victory he promised not to run again. However, he recanted and stood again in 1980, but his age was against him and he lost to Colin Kay. Later life and death Robinson was loath to retire and twice attempted to re-enter politics. He stood for mayor again in 1983 but finished a distant fourth. At the 1986 local-body elections he was a candidate for a council seat in the Remuera ward but was unsuccessful. Strained relationships with most of his children caused his unintentional retirement to be a lonely one. His niece, Dame Barbara Goodman told papers on his death "I think he did much better in his relationship with the public than in his private relationships". Robinson lived out his remaining years in a retirement village in Auckland until his death on 14 August 1989, survived by his six children. A civic funeral was held for him at the Auckland Town Hall with a secular service led by Reverend Selwyn Dawson (a former councillor). Legacy Robinson has been described as one of New Zealand's most popular and colourful politicians, politically independent, rationalist, environmentalist and alternative medicine advocate. In 1983 John Roberts, a Professor of Political Studies, commented on Robinson's charisma: Dame Barbara Goodman, former Auckland Mayoress and councillor, was his niece, and spearheaded a campaign for the Auckland City Council to build a statue of him in Aotea Square; the